Josephine Maksimowicz, 96

HOMELAKE— Homelake and former South Fork resident, Josephine Maksimowicz, 96, passed away July 14, 2018 at Colorado State Veterans Center at Homelake.
Josephine was born Oct 19, 1921 in Chanute, Kan. and raised by her adoptive parents Elvin and Zora Negley. Jo was a devoted wife, mother and wonderful person always caring and putting others first.
As a registered nurse Jo cared for many WWII wounded veterans in Mineral Wells, Texas and Topeka, Kan. where she met Ed, her husband of 68 years. Jo also cared for tuberculosis patients in Chanute, Kan.
She was proud to be known as an avid “rock hound” and spent many years with her husband finding, sorting and polishing rocks. Many of their works were displayed and sold in shops and rock shows throughout Colorado. Jo’s artistic talents have been captured in her work on stones, sketches and paintings and have been enjoyed by many people. Her greatest gift was her joyful spirit and love for life which was always extended in a warm smile, a hearty “hello” and her impromptu and always surprising sense of humor. Her life was a gift to all who knew her.
Josephine is survived by her children Ed (Marianne) Maksimowicz of Colorado Springs; Frances Friederich of Fayetteville, Ark.; John (Sheila) Maksimowicz of Wichita, Kan.; Helen (Don) Henson of Chanute, Kan.; Stephen (Beverly) Maksimowicz of Aurora, Colo. and sisters-in-law Eleanor Kaminsky of Rockport, Mass. and Sophie (Steve) Pociask of Rochester, NY; as well as 21 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.
Her husband and one child, Mary Catherine and two sisters, Velda and Louise have preceded Josephine in death.
The family would like to thank the dedicated staff of the Homelake Veterans Center and the many friends and residents for their care and friendship. They have helped make her later years enjoyable and meaningful.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 19 at the Homelake Veterans Community chapel. Internment of ashes will follow services in the South Fork Cemetery at Shaw Creek. Contributions are suggested to the Colorado State Veterans Center at Homelake in her memory.
Rogers Family Mortuary of Monte Vista is in care of the arrangements.  To leave online remarks and condolences for Josephine’s family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com