Maxine Skuzenski

Maxine Skuzenski was a remarkable woman with a strong work ethic and an insatiable zest for life that was evidenced by her rich tapestry of days. She was always able to find a silver lining along any dark cloud and it was with this positive attitude and her warm demeanor that she brought light and life to all those within her reach. Maxine was a dedicated wife with a fulfilling love story that spanned more than five decades.

Often called the “Roaring Twenties,” the 1920s were a decade of new and exciting endeavors within the culture of our nation as jazz was hot, Ernest Hemingway had become a household name, and Broadway reached an all-time peak. Stanley and Gladys (Hanford) Broder, of Grand Rapids, Michigan were preparing for an exciting time within their own family also as they were eagerly anticipating the birth of their second child at any time. They were indeed blessed on November 12, 1923 with the healthy birth of their daughter, Maxine Ruth. As the second of what would be four children in the Broder family, Maxine grew up in the family home on the south side of the city. As a student, she attended local schools, attending South High during her high school years.

During the late 1920s and for the majority of the 1930s, out nation became held firmly in the grip of the Great Depression which affected many American families in profound ways. Like so many other young people during this time period, Maxine entered the work force as a high school student as she worked preparing deli sandwiches and also at Wurzbergs Department Store. Young people of this era often found simple ways to have fun and Maxine was no exception. She and her friends liked to roller skate and they visited different rinks around the city. It was a trip to a skating rink in Grand Haven that would forever change the course of Maxine’s life.

A semi-professional skater named Clemens Skuzenski was in attendance one fateful evening at that Grand Haven rink. There seemed to be an immediate attraction when Maxine met him that night and the two enjoyed skating the night away. A romance soon ensued and it didn’t take long before the young couple found themselves deeply in love. A short time later, Maxine and Clemens became husband and wife, although their new life together was soon interrupted.

When our country became involved in WWII after we were viciously attacked on our homeland, Clemens answered the call to serve his country and protect the freedom American citizens still enjoy today. Upon his discharge, the couple settled in a home on Leonard St. NW and soon, they were blessed to become parents. Their daughter, Sharon, was born in 1947 and their son, David, followed a few years later. Maxine successfully handled being a wife, mother, and a wage-earner too as she worked part time as a cashier at Duthler Super Market. The store was just a half a block away from their home and her job was a good fit for their family. In 1958, their family moved to a home on Alpine Ave. where they would remain for several years. Along with this move, Maxine also acquired a different job at the Crystal Flash where she worked in the office.

Together their family made numerous memories which will be forever cherished. They loved to camp and summers usually found them camping at Grand Haven State Park where they stayed for an entire month. There, Maxine loved being at the beach with her children and she went fishing on the pier with them as well. At times during the summer, their family also took vacations that were farther away as they traveled out east and after Clemens retired, they traveled to Florida and out west one time as well.

There were several attributes that made Maxine the unique individual that her family and friends knew and loved. She and Clemens enjoyed a fulfilling marriage and were a team in more ways than one. They loved to go bowling together and were members of a mixed doubles league for many years. Maxine enjoyed bowling both for the sport and the friendships she established there. When they were blessed with grandchildren, Maxine delighted in them and she cared for them as often as she could. It brought Maxine vast amounts of joy and delight to aid in the care of this younger generation which had sprung forth from a love story that had begun so many years before. Maxine was an avid reader who enjoyed fiction and she also loved a particular type of needlepoint, plastic canvas crafts. Maxine loved angels and collecting them became a hobby as well, she had approximately 200 angel figurines in her collection.

Life was not without its difficult times for Maxine, although her positive nature equipped her for overcoming her various challenges. In 1992, she suffered a stroke which left her handicapped and although she could not talk, making communication difficult, Maxine still did as much as she could and aggressively continued living. Then in 1999, Maxine experienced the death of her beloved Clemens, leaving her to draw strength from her family and friends during these most difficult days. Soon after, Maxine settled into the Westminster Meadows Apartments where she became very involved in activities for senior citizens. The Salvation Army hosted a senior program and she became a regular playing bingo, having lunch, and attending the numerous trips the group sponsored. On these trips, Maxine traveled to many places throughout Michigan and she was able to enjoy the company of her numerous friends and acquaintances.

During April of this year, Maxine’s health began to decline and she moved into the nursing facility of the Meadowlark Retirement Village where she later drew her last breath.

Maxine Skuzenski was a delightful woman who could find joy in simple things, yet her greatest pleasure was found within the smiles and laughter of her beloved family. Maxine was happiest when she was surrounded by her grandchildren and she was committed to seeing them as often as she could. Maxine fostered a kind heart, a compassionate spirit, and a positive demeanor that carried her through the various peaks and valleys of her life’s journey. Her memory will live on in all those that were blessed to know and love her. Maxine will be dearly missed.

Maxine Ruth Skuzenski of Grand Rapids died on Sunday May 17, 2009. Maxine’s family includes her children: Sharon (Mike “Gus”) Gustafson of Newaygo, David (Diane) Skuzenski of Comstock Park; her grandchildren: Sheila Saliman, Stacey (Troy) Hill, James (Lori) Skuzenski, Michelle (Darek) Scarlavai, Bryan Skuzenski; her six great grandchildren, her sister Marian (Bruce) Wagner and nieces and nephews. Maxine was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters Donna Broder and Betty Stephans. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes - Van’t Hof – Grand Rapids, MI. Entombment will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Visit with Maxine’s family and friends on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can leave a favorite memory or make a memorial contribution to the Salvation Army Senior Program or Hospice of Michigan