Hugh Walter Maxwell Sr.

FAIRFIELD Hugh Walter Maxwell Sr., 80, of Fairfield, died of natural causes Sunday, Feb. 17.

Visitation is 5-7 p.m. Friday at Gorder Jensen Funeral Home in Choteau. Services are 11 a.m. Saturday at New Life Community Church in Choteau, with a luncheon to follow. Interment will follow in Sunset Hills Cemetery in Fairfield.

Hugh peacefully walked into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior.

Hugh was the seventh of eight children born to William and Grace (Estlack) Maxwell on Aug. 22, 1932, in Jordan. After William's death in 1936, the family moved to Fairfield. Hugh graduated from Fairfield High School in 1950 and then attended Montana State University. He married LaVerne Fiechtner in St. John's Catholic Church on Feb. 14, 1954. They had just celebrated 59 wonderful years together. In May of 1954, Hugh was drafted by the U.S. Army and was stationed in Ft. Campbell, Ky., and Ft. Benning, Ga. In 1956, Hugh and LaVerne moved to Bozeman, where he finished his education on the GI Bill, graduating in 1958. Hugh taught school for a year in Denton and then worked as a county extension agent in the states of Montana, Nebraska and Iowa. Between 1954 and 1964, six children were born to Hugh and LaVerne: Patty, Steve, Ed, Teresa, Gwen and Hugh Jr. In 1972, the family moved back to Fairfield, where all six children graduated from high school. After living in Lincoln and Hauser Lake, Idaho, for several years, Hugh and LaVerne returned to Fairfield, where they have lived since, enjoying spending time with lifelong friends.

Hugh was a devoted Christian, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be lovingly remembered for his sense of humor, strength and compassion. Hugh and LaVerne dedicated much of their lives to supporting their children's interests and making whatever sacrifices were necessary to provide opportunities for them. Grandpa Hugh took his children and grandchildren along on business trips, on fishing, hunting and camping expeditions, made them breakfast when they came to visit and faithfully attended every sporting or musical event he was able, freely advising the officials as necessary! Memories of horseback riding trips to Benchmark and fishing at any of the local lakes will always hold special meaning for Hugh's family. Hugh especially enjoyed fishing, despite his impatient nature (balanced only by LaVerne's inexhaustible patience). It's still not clear whose style has been adopted by the majority of his children and grandchildren!

Hugh will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 59 years, LaVerne; and his six children, Patty (Shaun) McConnell of Reno, Nev., Steve (Roberta) of Ennis, Ed (Deb) of Redmond, Ore., Teresa (Jeff) Poor of Sun River, Gwen (Dale) Buckingham of Sheridan, Wyo., and Hugh Jr. (Lori) of Moscow, Idaho. He is also lovingly remembered by 20 grandchildren and their families, including 13 great-grandchildren so far! Hugh is also survived by his brother, Frank.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Grace; sisters Grace and Alice; brothers Wallace, Alex, Jim and John; son-in-law Joe Lear; and great-granddaughter Patience Jane Marie Lear.

Condolences may be left online at www.gorderjensenfuneralhome.com and/or www.gftribune.com/obituaries.