Maxine Mary Shoop

Maxine Mary (Poelmann) Shoop moved peacefully to her heavenly home on February 25, 2026, while in the loving care of her family.

Maxine, the youngest of five children, was born on December 2, 1933, to Herman and Lillian (Harman) Poelmann in Racine, WI. Following her graduation from St. Catherine's High School - Racine, Maxine earned a degree in education from Dominican College – Racine in 1955.

One cold night, Maxine lost a winter boot at the movie house and was offered a ride home from John Shoop. She said yes! They were married on June 23, 1956, and so began an adventurous life together spanning 62 years. Their honeymoon to Fort Belvoir, Virginia, piggybacked on the completion of John's military obligation, and soon they moved back to Racine, where their family grew by two. Before long, they relocated to the campus of UW-Stevens Point and then to Madison as John pursued a Master's Degree in Chemistry. During this time, Max was busy raising their four young children, caring for foster babies, teaching, and selling World Book Encyclopedias. In 1968, they settled in Manitowoc, had a fifth child, and bought a "hobby farm".

Shoop's Hill Top Farm, a refuge for many, was filled with memories. Fruit trees, apple picking (and eating), a garden with 150ft rows of vegetables and flowers she shared with her nursing home friends, barns, animals, wagons filled with pumpkins, raspberry patches and acres to run. Their house was blessed with family, friends, and many children. The kitchen table, often extended as far as it would go, was filled with plenty of food, good conversation, and always had room for one more. Maxine loved building jigsaw puzzles late into the night, wild games of double solitaire, and skunking the boys in cribbage. Copies of the daily crossword puzzle were distributed at the breakfast table if you were up for the challenge.

Christmas celebrations and treasured traditions filled the Shoop house with love and laughter and are etched on family members' hearts forever.

Maxine was a kind, genuine woman of faith and lover of people. Those who encountered her were met with her beautiful smile and embraced with unconditional love and grace. One may have encountered her through her many passions - teaching, advocating for the unborn – Respect Life, Jail Ministry, CEW, superintendent at County Fair, life-long learning, traveling, and helping and loving family, friends, and acquaintances. Max was often referred to as a second mom. She readily extended her hand - a hand to help, a hand to guide, a hand to hold, a hand to gather, and a hand to give.

Max had a deep faith in God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, loved being Catholic, and was a prayer warrior for all.

She had a full life. Her cup overflowed. She loved The Lord her God with all her heart, mind, and soul, and her neighbor as herself.

Thank you, Maxine - Mom, Grammie, Shoopie, Gramma, Aunt Max, Mrs. Shoop, The Apple Lady - for all the love, generosity, encouragement, support, and prayers. Thank you for loving Jesus and teaching all of us how to love along the way.

She will be missed greatly and loved always by her five children and their spouses: Lauri and Gary Stanley, John and Jan Shoop, Ginger and Ken Ascher, Kris Shoop, Liz and John Myers; sister-in-law, Patricia Kinkade; 15 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; her dear friend, Kelly Schmatz; and extended family members and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband John Charles Shoop; her siblings and their spouses: Elizabeth and Lester Phillips, Bud and Phyllis Poelmann, Lucille and Dick Krekling, and Lois and Bill Fox; sister and brothers-in-law: Dorothy and Bob Stoffel; and Dave Kinkade; and her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren that didn't make an appearance on Earth but are rejoicing with her in heaven.

Cremation has occurred at the All-Care-Cremation Center, Manitowoc, and a celebration of life mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 10th, 2026, at St. Francis of Assisi on Grand Avenue, 1416 Grand Avenue, Manitowoc. Entombment will take place at a later date.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026, at St. Francis of Assisi on Grand Avenue.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family. Any funds received will be donated to SFA Respect Life in Maxine's name. Her lifelong dedication to the protection and respect of human life, in all forms, was one of her greatest passions.

Grandma, we will always leave a path in our gardens for you to walk with the angels.

Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Pfeffer location, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences and additional information can be found at www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com