Maxine Joyce Behl Gunderson, age 80, of Hudson, WI, passed away on May 30, 2013 at the Christian Community Home in Hudson. She was born at home March 23, 1933 on a farm north of St. Ansgar, Iowa, to Rosaline (Groth) and Paul Behl. She attended rural Rock 5 school through the 8th grade and high school in Plymouth, Iowa graduating in 1951. In 1954 she married LaVerne (Gundy) Gunderson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Osage, IA. To this union four children were born: a daughter, Michele (John) Glomski of Island Lake, IL, 3 sons, Blair (Verla) Gunderson of Baldwin, WI, Duane (Susan) Gunderson of Newport, MN, and James Gunderson of Danbury, WI.

Soon after their marriage Maxine and Gundy moved to the Chicago area and remained there for 22 years while raising their family. Maxine worked a variety of jobs in the Chicago area. After the family was grown they moved to Phoenix, AZ for a short time before settling in Hudson, WI in 1978. Maxine worked as a cook until her retirement in 1998. When she was unable to remain in her home she moved to Croixview Senior Apartments in Hudson. At the time of her death she had moved to Pine Ridge Assisted Living and Nursing Home.

Family was important to Maxine and she always put their needs ahead of her own. She was considered an excellent cook and loved to host family holidays and meals. She raised a huge garden and canned the produce for her family. She loved to read, travel, play cards, put together puzzles, sew, quilt and visit family and friends. She especially loved getting together with her sisters. Church was important to Maxine and she offered her services at many functions.

Those left to mourn her passing are her 4 children; 8 grandchildren; Heather, Roger, Mitchell, Matthew, Loretta, Paul, Dennis and Dustin, and 10 great grandchildren. Three sisters; Lois Morris of Mason City, IA, Myrna (Al) VanMeveren of Colman SD, Jeanette (Garth Jordan) Armstrong of Osage, IA, two sisters-in-law; Jennie Gunderson of Phoenix, AZ and Phyllis Gunderson of LeMesa, CA; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in November of 2012, brothers-in-law Paul Morris, Lauren Gunderson, Eugene Gunderson, and sister-in-law Frances Barker.

A Memorial Service for Maxine will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 8th at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1205 Sixth St., Hudson, with a visitation one hour prior to the service at church. Burial will be at a later date in a family plot in Osage, Iowa.

Funeral arrangements are with O’Connell Funeral Home in Hudson, WI. (715) 386-3725. www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com