Maxine M. (Baumgaertner) Von Behren

Maxine Marie (Baumgaertner) Von Behren, 85, of Hermann, MO, passed away Monday, December 7, 2020 at Hermann Area District Hospital. 

Maxine was a beloved Hermann community member and was treasured by her friends and family. She lived her entire life in Hermann, but she was actually born July 15, 1935 in Jefferson City MO, because Hermann did not have a hospital at the time.  

Her dear parents, Eugene B. and Clara M. (Bauer) Baumgaertner, preceded her in death.  Eugene (Gene to his many friends) was born in Hermann and Clara was born in Morrison, MO.  Both were strong and active members of the community and were proud to call Hermann home.  Maxine’s husband Raymond Von Behren and one of her sisters, Marlene (Baumgaertner) Nolte also preceded her in death.  

Maxine is survived by her other sister Clarice (Baumgaertner) Morris-Burton, who currently resides in Hermann.   She is also survived by eight nieces and nephews, David (Katherine) Nolte, Dan Nolte, Janet (Doug) Nolte, Judy Nolte, George (Ruth) Nolte, Patricia (fiancé Tim) Maitland, Cathy (Keith) Walsh and Robert John (Kelly) Morris.

Maxine was baptized and received First Communion and Confirmation in the Catholic Faith at St. George Church.  She also attended St. George Catholic grade school and graduated from St. George Catholic High School in 1955.  She loved the city of Hermann and was proud to be from here.  She told everyone she met during her travels that they needed to come visit. Her sense of humor was infectious and brought smiles from friends, family and strangers.  
 
After school, Maxine worked for many years at the Hermann Sheltered workshop until she retired at the age of 62. She loved her time there, made many friends, and even met her husband while working there.  She married Raymond on September 29, 1984, and they both continued working.  

Maxine was full of life and was thrilled by big and small adventures.  She enjoyed traveling with her parents when she was young, often visiting her sister in California and other relatives in Michigan.   She loved fishing and would travel to the Lake of the Ozarks many times for fishing trips, often with her parents and other times with extended family.  She taught her nieces and nephews how to fish and was as excited as they were when someone landed either a big or a small fish.  

Maxine was very talented at crocheting and making quilts and was in general very crafty with her hands.  She also loved to color and was a gifted artist. Family members were thrilled to receive handmade gifts and framed pictures from Maxine, and she loved to give them. 

Family and friends would frequently sit down with Maxine to enjoy a friendly game of cards with her, but they often left the games soundly defeated.  She was a great card player, enjoying gin rummy and telling stories. She made the defeats easier to handle, because she just had so much fun playing.  Most games ended with long score sheets and lots of laughter.  
 
Maxine’s favorite game, however, was certainly bingo.  She loved seeing her friends and enjoyed making new ones.  She was quite good at bingo and won more than her fair share of games.  She would confide to friends that her secret was to arrive early to have enough time to choose her bingo cards carefully. 
  
A memorial mass will be held Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at St. George Church, Hermann.  Burial will follow at St. George Cemetery.   

Memorials may be given to St. George Church.  C/O Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home.