Our Family remembers Maxine Richter fondly in many different ways. Whether you met her once in a lifetime or close over the years, everyone has loving memories.
Maxine'sl obituary may be found here
or
As seen in the Fremont Tribune, and any other memories you would like to add.
From the Guest Book - -
Jessie Waterman
Tuesday, 5/1/18, 6:09 PM
Tuesday, 5/1/18, 6:09 PMMay 1, 2018 Dear Family: Thank you Elmer for your loving tribute on the Family Web, “Our family celebrates the life and memory of Maxine Avis (Cornelius) Richter.” She was our family matriarch, beloved sister, devoted wife to Leo & mother to Jim, Gloria (D), Kim, Jeff, Kathy and Dan, a loving grandma and aunt to many of you. Maxine was born in 1925 and was one of seven children born to Nels and Jessie Cornelius. Her sister’s Marion Nelson and Dorothy Bednarz; brothers Elmer Cornelius and Jim Cornelius proceeded her in death. Two remaining siblings, Wayne Cornelius and Jessie Waterman are among the survivors. Max was a kind, gentle person who will remain in our hearts forever. She possessed the utmost in patience and understanding with the sweetest disposition of anyone I have ever known. She had just turned seven the year I was born and have fond memories of her taking care of me. I don’t recall her getting really upset with anyone. In her Eulogy the minister spoke about her days in the nursing home at Nye Pointe in Fremont, Nebraska. I was surprised but amused to hear that she did get upset with one of the other residence. My sister always looked nice and had a fondness for cowboy hats. She liked to put them on when she sat in the lobby in her wheelchair during the day. Seems that one elderly gentlemen didn’t think women should wear cowboy hats and would knock it off her head whenever he got a chance. This went on for some time until she had enough and the end came the day she was waiting for him with a glass of water and doused him with it. Every time after that when he looked in her direction she would pick up her water glass. Knowing my sweet sister, she apologized profusely to him but probably told him he had it coming. Did you know that she could play the piano by ear? We were storing a piano in our house for a friend of my dad’s and Max started playing. She would tirelessly practice to get the right sound and those big old cottonwood trees around our house in Morse Bluff seemed to sway in rhythm with her hidden talent. Maxine was also quite an artist and loved to decorate her home and try out new ideas. The entire family waited for her to finish a floor to ceiling rooster that she drew on her kitchen wall. It would have been spectacular but she must have had another idea for that wall. Her friends from high school used to call her “Blackie” and they called my sister Dorothy, “Blondie”. Blackie and Blondie were not only sisters but friends and loved going to Scotts Lake to dances. I thought it was pretty cool to have two pretty, popular sisters. Maxine got married in 1945 to the love of her life, Leo Richter and sister Dorothy and her husband John, were their attendants. She dedicated her life to Leo & her family and was so proud of all of their children and grandchildren. To my sister Max, my friend, my confidant, may you Rest in Peace as you are remembered dearly by all who love and will miss you. “When I am gone, release me, let me go. I have so many things to see and do, You mustn’t tie yourself to me with too many tears, But be thankful we had so many good years.” ….and we are all so very thankful for those years. We love you Max!!!!
Elmer Cornelius
My memories of Aunt Maxine and Uncle Leo are divided by time and circumstance. First as a very young child and then many years later with a different understanding of family.
Before moving from Fremont, I remember it was a treat to visit the fun place just out of town where kids could slip away through some trees and come out behind the drive-in theater. One of us would go to the back row of speakers and turn the volume all the way up then we'd lay just out of sight and watch a movie. Thats where I first saw "When Worlds Collide" and was hooked on science fiction the rest of my life. Aunt Maxine was the nice lady who never had a bad word and always some good treat, but at that age we were to be seen and not heard, so I did not have that much interaction or memories. At least that I can remember :>}
My wife Linda and I visited in the late 1990's I think, and when Linda turned a corner she came across the lady pictured here. After the initial shock she realized my Aunt had a special sense of humor and outlook on life.
Older and retired, during a visit with my mom Leona in 2005 I got to spend more time talking with Aunt Maxine than ever, and had a very pleasant visit with a very nice lady.
We are so thankful to have known Aunt Maxine and only wish we had not missed so many years knowing this wonderful person.
