Maxine E. Friedrich, 95, of Jackson passed away Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Jan. 30, 1928, in Whitewater to Albert and Amanda Deneke Blumenberg.

She and Charles E. "Earl" Friedrich were married June 3, 1956, at Zion United Methodist Church in Gordonville, also the church of her baptism, confirmation and lifelong membership. Maxine was always faithful to her Lord through serving at the church and was active in the women's groups and helped in the children's division. Maxine and Earl had been married 62 years when Earl passed away Oct. 2, 2018.

Maxine easily accepted and managed many unexpected responsibilities that came her way, simply because she had the heart of a servant. After losing her mother at the age of 21, Maxine served as caregiver for her father and brothers. Later in life, she looked after aunts and uncles. And none of these responsibilities ever interfered with caring for her own family. She was always early to rise to start working on the affairs of the day, spoiling her family with love and her skills of sewing, gardening, cooking and baking,

Maxine had a heart for teaching children. She earned a teaching certificate from Southeast Missouri Teachers College and taught at the former Maple Grove Elementary School, a one-room schoolhouse. She was the last to teach at Maple Grove before it was merged into the Delta School District. Maxine also taught in the primary grades in Chaffee, Missouri, and worked as a substitute teacher in the Jackson School District. For several years, she enjoyed caring for children in her home.

To cherish her memory, Maxine leaves two children, Emily (Kevin) Mandry of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Allen (Cindy) Friedrich of Jackson; five grandchildren, Jonathan (Rebecca) Mandry of Cape Girardeau, Peter Mandry of Colorado Springs, Joshua (Kelsey) Friedrich of Gordonville, Caleb Friedrich and Noel Friedrich of Jackson and Samantha Mandry of Cape Girardeau (wife of the late Gabriel Mandry); four great-grandchildren, David and Micah Mandry and Zion and Michael Friedrich; sister-in-law, Linda (the late Elvin) Blumenberg of Cape Girardeau; brothers-in-law, Vincent (Deanna) Friedrich of Oak Ridge and Eugene (the late Vivian) Schneider and Willard (Pauline and the late Clara) Schneider, both of Jackson.

Maxine was preceded in death by her husband; a grandson, Gabriel Mandry; her parents; five adult siblings, Nelson (Marie) Blumenberg, Corinne (James) Ashley, Melvin Blumenberg, Elvin Blumenberg and Gene (Virginia) Blumenberg; a young sister, Mildred Blumenberg; father- and mother-in-law, Charley and Agnes Barker Friedrich; and brothers-in-law, Glen (Velma) Friedrich, Raymond Friedrich and Harl (Betty) Friedrich.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson and from noon to service time, Wednesday, April 12, at Zion United Methodist Church in Gordonville.

The Rev. Scott Griffin will conduct the funeral at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, at the church. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The family appreciates memorial contributions to Zion United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab above Maxine's obituary article at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.