To live in the hearts and minds of those we leave behind

Let us help get you started

Obituary for Maxine L. Kruckow


Maxine Lavonne Kruckow was called to her eternal home on September 21, 2023, surrounded by family.

She was born August 16, 1936 in Brownsville, MN to Henry and Laura (Cordes) Thomford. She graduated from Caledonia High School in 1954. After graduating, she began working at Keily's Cafe in Caledonia, where she met her husband, Marlin Kruckow. They were united in marriage on June 1, 1957 and were blessed with two sons, Steven & Jeffery.

They moved out on the farm and farmed for 40+ years, milking cows, raising beef cattle, chickens, and pigs and farming the land. She knew the Bible well and loved spreading the word of Jesus, attending church at St. John's in Caledonia every Sunday and helped her grandkids grow in faith. Maxine enjoyed caring for and hanging out with the grandkids, spending time with family and friends, cooking, baking, gardening, planting flowers, reading, and most of all, being a devoted wife.

She is survived by her husband, Marlin; sons, Steven (Kimberly), Jeffery (Janell); grandchildren, Jaclyn (Rustin) Hauser, Joshua (Chelsey) Kruckow, Justine (Dylan) Fairey, Britney (Todd) Christiansen, Jessica (Roth) Walters, Tyler Kruckow, Janessa Kruckow (Mark); great-grandchildren, Taya, Jadin, Jaxtin, Ryker, Torin, Emmalin, Everett, Lorin, Sawyer, Waylan, Kaylyn, Peyton, Jayden, Adilyn, Journey, Allison, River; granddog, Cooper; siblings, Betty Tessmer, Shirley (Ted) Lee, Duane (Marilyn) Thomford; in-laws, Eleanor Kruckow, Lyle (Mavis) Kruckow, Wilma Wiebke; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by, her parents, Henry and Laura; in-laws, Daryl Tessmer, Violet (Lloyd) Gaustad, Laverne Kruckow, Arnold Kruckow, Mildred (Stanley) Moen, Dorothy (Howard) Houlihan, Harold (Judy) Kruckow, and Luvern Wiebke; nieces and nephews and family friend, Gloria (Marlow) Anderson.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Thursday, September 28, 2023, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, 650 N. Kingston St., Caledonia. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 4:00P.M. to 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, and from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service on Thursday, both at the church. Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Caledonia Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.