Maxine Kay Kite

April 24, 1955 - September 15, 2026

Maxine Kay Kite, née Etlicher, age 71, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family on September 15, 2026.

Maxine was born in Gothenburg, NE. In 1966, her family moved to Barron, Wisconsin to establish a dairy farm. She graduated from Barron High School in 1973. Following high school, she completed the cosmetology program at the Professional Hair Design Academy, then became a Licensed Practical Nurse.

As a young woman, her life was radically transformed by the gospel. She lived out her faith in community with other Christian women. Maxine poured her heart into generously loving and serving all those around her. She called Cedarcreek Community Church her home for more than 50 years.

On May 28, 1977, Maxine married Tom Kite at Calvary Baptist Church. Together they built their life in Eau Claire centered around family, faith and hospitality. They raised three children, Tracy, Sarah, and Aaron, and were blessed with eight grandchildren. She dedicated her years at home to raising and homeschooling her children. After retiring from her homeschool teaching role, she worked for Pleasant Company processing orders of American Girl Dolls.

Maxine and Tom welcomed eight foster children into their home for a period of about three years. Their home seemed to have a revolving door for friends needing a place to land over the years. She loved hosting huge family gatherings, cooking for crowds, making elaborate cakes, and finding ways to give generously to others.

Maxine loved horses and spent years involved with Pony of the Americas and 4-H clubs. She also loved Hawaii, traveling there many times and sharing the islands with family and friends. Later in life, many of those interests took a back seat to one of her favorite roles: being Grandma. She played games, made crafts, taught sewing and cake decorating, took them to all the rides at the Iowa State Fair, and invested deeply in the lives of her grandchildren.

Even as illness made the final years of her life increasingly difficult, her faith remained. During that time Maxine said, "I don't know why this is happening to me, but I know God is good." And now that good God has delivered her from her suffering and welcomed her into his glorious presence.

Maxine is survived by her husband, Tom of 49 years; three children, Tracy (Steven) Kopp of Elk Mound, WI, Sarah (Peter) Smith of Des Moines, IA, and Aaron (Christine) Kite of Lansing, MI; eight grandchildren, Samantha, Olivia, Josh, Judah, Elliot, Marianne, Luca and Quinnley; her mother, Mary Etlicher and her siblings, Pat (Doug) Poeschel, Steve Etlicher, and Charlotte (Randy) Voelker, along with extended family and many friends whose lives she touched.

The family would like to thank St. Croix Hospice, who assisted her with care and compassion in the last months of her life.

A funeral service celebrating Maxine's life and faith will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 24 at Stokes, Prock & Mundt Funeral Chapel, 535 S. Hillcrest Parkway, Altoona with a supper to follow. Visitation will be from 3:30 p.m. until the time of service.

Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.cremationsociety-wi.com.