Maxine Halbach

Maxine Halbach, was born on January 8, 1927, to John and Elizabeth (Thome) Mueller. She peacefully passed away at Stacyville Community Nursing Home on October 11, 2024, at 97 years of age.

She grew up in the Meyer, Iowa, area; attended school through 8th grade (receiving an in-school award), and proudly earned her GED in 1975. Maxine was married to Leo Halbach on June 7, 1947. They were married for 41 years, having lived with their children in the Stacyville, Iowa, area and then on the farm outside of Austin, Minnesota. She loved her husband and family; she was a very faith-filled Catholic who prayed multiple rosaries every day for herself, her family, and other loved ones. She enjoyed her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, fishing, gardening, sewing, baking, canning, and crossword puzzles. Maxine was a champion cribbage player! 

She was also active in her church families at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Lyle, Minnesota, and St. Edwards Catholic Church in Austin, Minnesota. She taught faith formation classes and assisted with event preparation and hospitality. 

Her fondest memory of her family was to talk to them after others had gone to bed. She commented that if she could live her life over again, she would change “Nothing.” Her mother, father, husband, and children had the greatest impact on her life. “They were my whole life, and I loved it.” Her fondest childhood memories were “playing ball with her dad while Emil and Elmer brought the cows home to milk” and “fishing with her dad.” Maxine would like to be remembered for the children she had and for helping them through school.

Maxine is survived by her siblings Elmer (Mary) Mueller, Delphin (Mary Ann) Mueller, Anita Adams, and Mary Mullenbach. She is also survived by all of her children Donald (Pam), Kevin (Patrice) Patrick (Margaret), Michael (Rhonda) Myrna, Ernie (Sandy), Rita (John) Gahr, Elizabeth Rodgers, Peter (Maren), Marie (Tom) Cox, Paul (Michelle), Lawrence (Marya) and Laura (John) Podergois, as well as, 30 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren, as well as, many nieces and nephews.

Maxine was preceded in death by her husband, Leo; parents, John and Elizabeth Mueller; siblings, Cyrilla, Viola, Evelyn, Emil, John, Irene, Marvin, and Lavern; in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at Visitation Church in Stacyville, Iowa. A visitation will be held from 4:30 – 7:00 PM on Friday, October 18, 2024 at Visitation Church and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Burial will be in Visitation Catholic Cemetery. Memorials preferred to St. Edward's Catholic Church, Queen of Peace Catholic Church, or the Austin Salvation Army. Services are prearranged and performed by Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes.