Maxine M. Hamacher

Maxine M. Hamacher, age 93, of Iron River, MI, passed peacefully away Tuesday, October 11, 2016, at Lakeview Assisted Living in Gladstone, Michigan. She was born February 27, 1923 in Iron River, MI, the daughter of the late Charles and Ella (Lindholm) Shoquist. She attended the Stambaugh Schools, graduating with the Class of 1941. She attended College at North Park, Chicago, IL, where she earned her B.S. Degree in Education and later earned her Master’s Degree from Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI. She was employed as an elementary teacher by the Crystal Falls Public School System for over 24 years. She owned and operated the Traveler’s Motel with her husband, Bud, from 1952 to 1974. Maxine married Charles “Bud” H. Hamacher on October 1, 1946 in Crystal Falls, MI, and the couple celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary in 2015. Bud preceded her in death on September 8, 2016. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Chester Shoquist. Maxine was a lifetime member of the Grace Covenant Church in Iron River where she sang in the choir, attended Bible study, and belonged to the Women’s Service Group. She loved the Lord and knew someday she would see him in heaven. She loved her church family and developed many close friends over the years. If you were on the prayer list, rest assured Maxine had you in her daily prayers. She was proud of her Swedish heritage and never met a cookie she didn’t like, especially if it was united with a cup of coffee. She enjoyed golf and belonged to both the Iron River Country Club and the George Young Country Club. Over her golfing career, she won several club championships, over women much younger than her. She was an avid downhill skier, enjoying bowling, loved quilting, making several for her grandchildren, of which they still enjoy, and loved playing bridge with her friends. She was an average cook, of which she freely admitted, but made the most amazing Swedish pancakes, chicken dumpling soup, and if it was your birthday, the best pink strawberry angel food cake imaginable. Maxine was also an expert in solving Sudoku math puzzles. Maxine is survived by her sons, Brian (Barbara) of Caspian, and David (Tamara) of Gladstone, MI; daughter, Barbara (Ted) Bart of Butler, PA; grandsons, Scott Bart, John and Garrett Hamacher; granddaughters, Becky (Don) Gage, Debbie (Brian) Goss and Tara (David) Weintraub, as well as six great grandchildren.   Visitation will be held Saturday, October 22, 2016 from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at Grace Covenant Church. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. James Swanson II to officiate. Interment will be in Resthaven Cemetery. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Maxine M. Hamacher, please visit our flower store.