Maxine Williamson

MORTON – Maxine D. Williamson, 90, of Morton, passed away on Sunday, August 10, 2025.
She was born on March 12, 1935, in Quincy, Illinois, to Christoph and Irene (Meints) Totsch. After graduating from Bowen High School and attending MacMurray College for a year, Maxine married Jackie Williamson on October 10, 1954, in Bowen, Illinois. They made their home in Morton, where they raised their family.
Maxine began her career as a key punch operator for Caterpillar, Inc., but found her true calling in the preschool classroom at Bethel Lutheran School, where she taught for nearly thirty years. She cherished her students and delighted in sharing her faith. Maxine and Jack enjoyed playing cards and gathering with loved ones. She touched many lives with her sweet, kind spirit and steadfast faith. Her greatest earthly joys were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Maxine was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Jack, in 2011; her brother, Donald Totsch; and her parents, Christoph and Irene Totsch-Gardner, and stepfather, Oscar Gardner. She is survived by her daughter, Kim Renee (Greg) Johnson of Decatur, and her son, Brad Alan (Jill) Williamson of Washington; four grandchildren, Jaclyn (Blake) Tidwell, Sarah (Kyle) Mettelmann, Joel (Sarah) Johnson, and Marisa Williamson; twelve great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law Peggy Williamson and Esther Totsch.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, August 15, 2025, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Morton, where Maxine was an active member for seventy years. Pastor Jeff Anderson will officiate. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday, August 14, from 4 to 6 p.m., and on Friday from 9 to 9:45 a.m.
Memorials may be made to Bethel Lutheran Preschool.
Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Morton is handling arrangements. To leave an online condolence for the family visit www.knappjohnson.com. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Maxine Williamson, please visit our Tree Store.