Maxine Elizabeth Bax, 82, Freeburg, passed from this life on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at her home surrounded by her loving family.
She was born Nov. 15, 1943, to the late Willard Fredrick and Martha Bernadine (Dickneite) Barton in Freeburg.
She was a 1961 graduate of Fatima High School.
Maxine was united in marriage to Emil George “Sweet Pea” Bax on March 3, 1961, in Freeburg.
She was a devoted Christian and a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Freeburg. Maxine was also member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post, Freeburg; a member of the Western Catholic Union; and the Rosary Worriers.
During her working life, Maxine was employed with the Missouri Division of Health from 1961-1962, the Missouri Division of Youth Services from 1975-1995, and the Division of General Services from 1995-1999. She also worked at Quaker Window Company in Freeburg. After retiring from the State of Missouri, Maxine worked for Hilke’s Ice Company in Freeburg, and for Terry Bax, CPA in Dallas, Texas, for 16 years until her health no longer permitted her to work.
In her younger years, Maxine enjoyed traveling and taking bus trips with her friends. She also enjoyed playing cards, reading, planting flowers and baking, which she passed down to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but Maxine’s family was her everything, and she loved family gatherings especially during the holidays.
She was preceded in death by husband of 49 years, Emil; infant daughter, Mary Ann Bax; parents, Willard (Bill) and Martha; and sisters, Esther Becker and Sophie Koetting.
Maxine is survived by sons, Mark Bax and wife Lucia of Modesto, Calif., Bruce Bax of Hartsburg, Terry Bax of Dallas, Texas, Jamie Bax and wife Jennifer of Jefferson City and Eric Bax and wife Nikki of Troy; daughter, Nicki Bax of Freeburg; grandsons, Shane Zimmer and wife Jessica of Freeburg, Steve Pershe of Modesto, Calif., Hendrix Bax of Troy and Hayden Clausener of Kirksville; granddaughters, Heather Barnhart of Columbia, Rosie Bax of Fulton, Jessica Bax and friend Mack Weyers of Fulton, Trisha Kilgore and husband Adam of Columbia, Carissa Brewer and husband Alex of Holden, Brooklyn Brewer and husband Aaron of North Kansas City, Shaylyn Baumgartner and husband Kutter of California; great-grandchildren, Emil (EJ) and EmmaLynn Zimmer, William and Temprence (Tempy) Barnhart, Kamila, Josie and Alexander Ming, Hunter, Grace and Cayson McCarter, Elliott and Mabel Kilgore and Bennett and Brooks Brewer; sister Karen Hopkins of North Kansas City; and many other relatives and friends.
A Rosary will be held from 4 until 4:30 p.m, Tuesday, June 23, with a visitation from 4:30 until 7 p.m. A second visitation will be held from 10 until 11 a.m., (today) Wednesday, June 24, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, all in the Holy Family Catholic Church in Freeburg, with Rev. William Debo officiating. For those not able to attend there will be a Facebook Live feed on the Facebook page of Nicki Bax.
Interment will be held in the Holy Family Cemetery in Freeburg.
Memorial contributions suggested for Masses or per the wishes of the family.
Arrangements entrusted to Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home in Vienna.
