Maxine Dennis, 94, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2022. She was the third child born to Henry (Franklin) Klosterman and Nora (Humbert) Klosterman July 27, 1927, in Platteville, Wisconsin. She married Clifford J Dennis August 30, 1946. He preceded her in death December 18, 1993.
Maxine was devoted to her family. She helped her entomologist husband collect insects for his research. He discovered a new species of tree hopper and named it after her for her many hours of help with his research. She enjoyed knitting and sewing, making clothing, quilts and toys for family and upholstery and draperies for her home. Many of her creations are still being enjoyed by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Maxine loved music. She played clarinet, violin, piano, and was in the handbell choir at her church. She was active in her church groups in various cities she lived in throughout her life. She loved to play cards, enjoying weekly euchre games with friends for many years. Maxine liked traveling so much that her car license plate was “travlbug.” After her husband Cliff’s retirement, they traveled to Norway where they did genealogy research for the Dennis side of the family. She traveled with friends to Austria, Germany, Italy, Australia, Japan, England, Scotland, and Wales as well as to many states in the U.S.
She is survived by her children: Alan (Kathy) Dennis, Mt Vernon, WA; Roy (Sandra) Dennis Puyallup, WA; Mark Dennis, Seattle, WA; Nancy (George) Ravnsborg, Everett, WA; Karen (Dennis) Langenberg, Pound, WI; Karl Dennis, West St. Paul, MN; Wade Dennis, Wauwatosa, WI; son-in-law, Gordy (Judy) Peterson, Tecumseh, MI; eleven grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren; one sister, Beth (Arnold) Willis, Madison, WI; one brother, John Klosterman, Springfield, Illinois. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Patricia (Gordy) Peterson; brothers: Max Klosterman, Dale Klosterman; sisters-in-law: Barbara (Dale) Klosterman, Wilma (Max) Klosterman, Marilyn (Max) Klosterman, Sally (John) Klosterman, and Patricia (John) Klosterman.
A private family service will be held in April 2022 at Hillside Cemetery in Platteville, WI. Online condolences are welcome at www.prokowall.com. In lieu of any floral expressions please consider making a donation to Habitat for Humanity, a favorite charity of both Cliff and Maxine.
We want to extend our thanks to the team at Rennes Health and Rehab, DePere, WI who cared for Maxine the last four and 1/2 years of her life. Their kindness and compassion, to the end, will not be forgotten.
Editor’s note: We understand that Maxine Dennis was a former resident of Whitewater whose husband was a professor at UW-Whitewater, and their children attended Whitewater schools.
