Maxine Young

Maxine May Young, 95, of Gladwin, passed away on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at Mid-Michigan Medical Center, Gladwin. Maxine was born on May 25, 1928, in Gladwin, the daughter of M.J. and Adelia (Swinehart) Huber. She was the second youngest of 13 children and devoted wife for more than 50 years to Kenneth Young. He preceded her in death on September 15, 2015. Together they raised four children, James (Patricia) Young, Penny (Robert) Nestle, Sally (Donald) Zelt, and Tony (MarLisa) Young.

Maxine treasured annual trips with her eight sisters to various parts of the United States, where they enjoyed playing games, eating ice cream, and general sister silliness. A true Huber, who used to scoop ice cream and serve sodas at the Huber Dairy in her youth, she loved ice cream and all sweets, though she was ever persistent in pawning them off on her kids and grandkids to save her own sweet tooth. In a seemingly bottomless countertop container, she always had cookies for visiting grandchildren.

Maxine was also a master knitter. She made hundreds of mittens, scarves, and hats over the years for her grandchildren and their friends alike, and more than 50 afghans for family – including blankets for grandchildren and great-grands, all marked with special “Made with love by Grandma” tags. She loved – and had perfect attendance according to our records – at the annual Huber reunion. She was an avid reader and journaler, with stacks and stacks of journals documenting both everyday happenings and special events over decades. To the delight of her grandkids, Maxine played the organ, namely a silly tune teasing them about childhood crushes. Maxine was a member of the Gladwin Free Methodist Church and enjoyed her years as a librarian there. She also worked for over 20 years at King’s Motel, for her sister and owner, Pat Priemer.

Sassy and spirited to the end, she will be missed tremendously by her children, 12 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and many nephews, nieces, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, 12 siblings, and one great-grandchild.

Funeral services to celebrate Maxine’s life will be held on Friday, January 12, 2024, at 2 p.m., at Hall-Kokotovich Funeral Home, Gladwin. Visitation will be held from noon until the time of the service. She will be laid to rest at the Grout Township Cemetery. The family thanks the devoted caregivers at Gladwin Pines Rehabilitation Center and The Horizon Senior Living Center who cared for Maxine in her final year.