WIGŲSIREĮGA MAXINE LEE KOLNER

WIGŲSIREĮGA MAXINE LEE KOLNER

     Wigųsireįga Maxine Lee Kolner, 84, of Merrillan, WI, passed away Sept. 14, 2024, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse. 

     Maxine was born May 21, 1940, to Victor Kingswan and Rhoda Hall on the Hall Homestead in the Komensky Township. Maxine grew up in Black River Falls with her 13 siblings and half-siblings, later graduating from Black River Falls High School. After graduating from high school, Maxine attended beautician school in Minneapolis. Later, Maxine went back to school and obtained her nursing degree from Rochester Community College. 

     While living in Rochester, Maxine worked at IBM for several years before returning to Black River Falls where she worked as an assistant manager at the Black River Falls Casino. Maxine also worked for the Ho Chunk Nation in Heritage Preservation in the language department. Maxine loved her culture and heritage and enjoyed sharing the Ho-Chunk language. 

     While living in Black River Falls, Maxine met Elliot Kolner, and the two were married on Valentine’s Day in 1998. 

     Maxine was a member of the Andrew Blackhawk American Legion Auxiliary where she served as the post chaplain for several years. Maxine was also a church officer for the Native American Church of Jackson County.

     Above all else, Maxine loved her family and her many friends. She would spend her free time going on adventures with her sisters or at family get-togethers. Maxine was always the life of the party and loved hosting and attending family functions and birthday parties. Maxine was endlessly generous; she was always ready with a thoughtful gift specifically chosen just for that person. Her love of family extended beyond her blood relatives, Maxine was also a foster parent for seven years, opening her home to those in need. When not with family, Maxine could be found fishing or at worship or waru haha. 

     Maxine is survived by her loving husband, Elliot Kolner; her children, Bill Kingswan, Valerie (Jon) Peterson and Mark Kastrioti; her stepchildren, Lea Kolner and Elliott M. Kolner; her sister, Valerie “Big Val” Bartlett; and brother Loren James Rave; half-sister Carla Kingswan; and half-brother Fred Kingswan. She is further survived by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her extended family and many friends. 

     She is preceded in death by her parents, Victor Kingswan and Rhoda Hall; her stepfather, Duncan Rave; her sisters, Sharon Harrison and Gloria Rave; her brothers, Reuben Rave Sr., Maynard Rave Sr. and Brian Michael Rave; an infant sister and her half-siblings, Dr. Charles Kingswan, Gayle Kingswan and Georgia Kingswan. 

     A visitation was held at the District One Community Building Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. Burial followed immediately after at the Decorah Cemetery.

     Buswell Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family with funeral arrangements.