Maxine Wolff

Maxine Wolff, 80-year-old resident of Little Falls, MN, passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at her residence.

Funeral Service held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at Grace Covenant Church in Little Falls, with Pastor Keith Bergstrom officiating. Visitation held from 4 to 7 PM on Tuesday and 9:30 to 10:30 AM on Wednesday, both visits at the church. Interment at Pike Lake Cemetery in Kensington, MN. Caring for Maxine and her family is LeMieur Funeral Home in Little Falls.

Maxine Arlou Wolff was born at home in Pope County, MN to Alfred and Lottie Mattson on September 3, 1945. She was baptized and confirmed in the Kensington Covenant Church in Kensington. Maxine grew up on a farm southeast of Kensington, MN and graduated from the Kensington High School in the class of 1963. She attended college at the University of Minnesota, Morris and St. Cloud State, majoring in music and physical education. Maxine was always very active in school and community activities, involved in 4-H, cheerleading, playing trumpet in high school and college band, and using her piano talents in church, school, and community events. Maxine was a farm girl through and through, spending many hours driving tractors and working with livestock in her teen years. It was there that she learned the value of hard work. In the fall of 1963 at UMM, Maxine met Les Wolff and the two were married on July 3, 1966, at Kensington Covenant Church. While Les attended Pharmacy College in Minneapolis, Maxine worked at the University of Minnesota Police Department in the parking division. After Les' graduation, the couple moved to Little Falls for a job opportunity and stayed to build a life and raise their three daughters. Maxine was a gifted church musician and accompanist for nearly 70 years. She wanted to share the love of Jesus in meaningful and memorable ways. She encouraged others to participate and express their faith through music by directing numerous Sunday School programs, youth musicals, the Youth for Christ singing group Voices in Praise (VIPS), The Savior Singers, adult choir church cantatas and helping many prepare special instrumental and vocal music for services. She continued to play piano and organ for services at Grace Covenant, First United Church and throughout the larger community. Maxine always worked hard and thus accomplished many things, working at numerous jobs and volunteering at many organizations. She loved working with 4-H and was active for over 25 years. She gave private piano lessons for over 30 years, teaching hundreds of students, and accompanied for many years of LFCHS solo/ensemble contest participants. She was co-owner of Wolff Drug and Gift stores for 24 years and was well-known for the holiday decorations in her home. Family meant everything to Maxine. You rarely saw Maxine without the best friend and love-of-her-life, Les, and daughter Kristi. She was a proud mom and grandmother, traveling to many concerts, ball games and dance recitals through the years. She loved black, white and red, and anything with a little sparkle, and loved to decorate and host gatherings of family and friends. People did not leave hungry.

Maxine is survived by her husband of 59 years, Leslie Wolff; her daughters: Kay Wolff of New York, NY and Kristi Wolff of Little Falls; grandchildren: Cody (Michele) Hickman of Morris, Cassey (Kyle) Wittenburg of Wyndmere, ND, Calley (Nate Goff) Hickman of Alexandria, Correy (Brady) Birch of Jamestown, ND, and Cortney (Joey Krenz) Hickman of Norcross, Ella Wolff-Niewood of New York, NY and Benjamin Wolff Niewood of New York, NY; great-grandchildren: Beau, Annie, Brynne, and Myla Hickman of Morris, and Eleanor, Emmet, Emerson, and Elliot Wittenburg of Wyndmere, ND; brothers: Rodger Mattson of Farwell and Gerald (Carla) Mattson of Kensington; brother-in-law, Lyle Maanum of Farwell; sisters-in-law: Patricia (Roger) Haugen of Dawson, Ramona (Dale) Thompson of Dawson, Joan (Paul) Nesvold of Watertown; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family and many friends.

Maxine was preceded in death by her parents: Alfred and Lottie Mattson; sister, Marlene Maanum; sister-in-law, Patricia Mattson; daughter, Karie Hickman; son-in-law, Todd Hickman; and grandniece, Taylor Mattson.