Renee Maxwell

Renee Bauer Maxwell, age 86, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2025, in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Born on March 16, 1939, in Kanab, Utah, Renee lived a life marked by service, creativity, and unwavering devotion to her family and faith.

Raised in southern Utah, Renee attended Valley High School in Orderville before continuing her education at Southern Utah State College in Cedar City. She later earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from the University of Utah. Her love for learning and teaching would become a lifelong passion that she shared with many.

Renee's professional journey was as dynamic and visionary as she was. A true entrepreneur ahead of her time, she founded a travel business and delighted in organizing trips for others. She helped revitalize The Kimball and successfully managed it, demonstrating her keen business acumen. Renee also owned and operated a Snelgrove Ice Cream franchise in Centerville, Utah-not just as a business venture but as a way to provide her children with valuable work experience.

Her ventures didn't stop there. Renee created Accommodations Systems with numerous short-term rentals long before such models became mainstream. She also owned apartments, managed resort properties through Resort Connections, bought and remodeled homes, and even worked in road construction in Las Vegas. Her resume included farming pigs and cows, planting and harvesting crops, bailing hay, sorting apples at the fruit stand, waitressing, substitute teaching, house cleaning, managing a café, and caring for elderly family members. Renee's industrious spirit was matched only by her boundless energy and love for new challenges.

Renee's heart was as expansive as her résumé. She adopted four children and welcomed many Native American placement children into her home. She carried the responsibility of being the eldest sibling with grace and humor, always looking out for those around her. Her generosity extended far beyond her family; she faithfully contributed to countless charitable causes-so many that she received thousands of calendars, stickers, and cards from grateful organizations. Never one to waste anything or miss an opportunity to uplift others, she began sending anonymous "mystery cards" adorned with carefully chosen stickers to people she cared about. If you received one of these cards without a signature, it was because Renee thought you were special.

A devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Renee served alongside her eternal companion Delwyn Cox Maxwell on two missions: the London South Mission and the Cochabamba Bolivia Temple Mission. She loved bearing testimony and teaching others about the gospel. In Glendale, Utah, she led an all-children's choir and served faithfully in many callings including Primary President and Relief Society President. She cherished her sisters in the Relief Society and ministered far beyond assigned responsibilities-because loving people came naturally to her.

Renee found joy in simple pleasures-reading a good book or setting sail on a cruise getaway-but her greatest joy came from serving others. Whether through church service or spontaneous acts of kindness, she saw potential in everyone she met. Her sense of humor brightened every room she entered.

She is survived by her eternal companion Delwyn Cox Maxwell; children David C. Maxwell (Stephan L. Hannah), Shauna Maxwell Madsen (Eric J. Madsen), and Rita Ruffell; grandchildren Amanda Madsen Jenen (Eric Eden), Katie Madsen Tinoco (Edwin Jaren Tinoco), Maxwell Thomas Madsen (Macrina Romero Maden), Ethan Jacob Madsen, Jeremy Freestone (Amiee Sorensen), Colby Ruffell (Shay Hullinger), and Alyssa Ruffell; great-grandchildren Colin Jenen, Liam Jenen, Matias Madsen, Micah Madsen, Mia Madsen, Brooks Tinoco, Tobias Tinoco, Braxton Ruffell, Tinlee Ruffell, Kaden Howard, Karsen Howard; bonus great-grandchildren Allie Eden, Levi Eden, Issac Eden, and Logan Eden.

She was preceded in death by her beloved daughter Tonya Maxwell Smith and her parents Rex and Margaret Bauer.

Renee Maxwell leaves behind a legacy of faith-driven service, entrepreneurial spirit, boundless compassion, and deep familial love. Her influence will continue to be felt by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

May her memory bring comfort to those who knew and loved her. A Funeral Service will be held on July 1, 2025, from 01:00 PM to 02:00 PM at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints 9575 S 3100 East . Viewing before in the Relief society room from 11:30 AM -12:45 AM. A Graveside Service will be held on July 3, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Glendale city Cemetery East Center Street