Obituary: Maxine Alice (Thiel) Geiger

Maxine Alice (Thiel) Geiger (86) went to her Lord on Sunday, December 8th, at her home surrounded by her husband and children.  She was born on April 9, 1938 to George and Gladys (O’Donnell) Thiel and raised in Hilbert.  She attended Catholic schools for most of her years including part of her higher years at St. Agnes Convent and studied teaching at Marian College.  She taught at the elementary level at St. Margaret Mary in Neenah and at St. Mary’s in Hilbert. 

Maxine married Raphael Geiger from Brillion on June 28, 1960 at St. Mary’s Parish in Hilbert, WI.  They raised six children (5 girls and 1 boy) while caring for a 200-acre dairy farm.  She enjoyed a trip to Europe for her AFS daughter’s (Priska Altorfer) wedding. After her children were in school, she worked as a coordinator in Faith Formation in Brillion, Kaukauna and Quad-Parish in Green Bay.  She attended classes in the diocese and was Commissioned to be a Coordinator of Faith Formation Ministry.  She served the Lord through this work and pastoral minister for many years.  

Throughout the years, Maxine was active in her community as a Brillion High School board member (6 years), prepared for many 4H events and helping her children with showing at the Calumet County Fair. She was involved at church through readings, giving communion and Christian Mothers.  Many years, Maxine brought communion to and prayed with people at home and in nursing homes.  Some of her favorite things were playing cards and seeing her grandkids/great grandkids grow.

Survivors include her husband: Raphael, her children: Karen Geiger (Stephanie Eberhardy) of Wrightstown, Colleen (Wynn) Jansky of Two Rivers, Yvonne Willman of Reedsville, Jerome (Janie) Geiger of Green Bay, Mary Geiger of Hilbert, Denise (Mark) Ramczyk of Waterford, her eighteen grandkids: Colton Eberhardy, Nicholas Eberhardy, Lauren (Dustin Presti) Willman, Garrett (Tara Minarik) Willman, Ethan (Jenna Hornblad) Willman, Ashley (Joe) Cummings, Kody (Joselyn) Willman, Chantal (Nathan) Dietrich, Alexis (Jackson) Draeger, Abigail (Nathan) Heppermann, Elizabeth Geiger, Natasha (Matt) Kloehn, Joshua (Rebecca) Ramczyk, Rachel (Alejandro Lopez) Ramczyk, Quentin (Emily Van Scoy) Geiger, Adam (Serena Mayer) Ramczyk, Gabrielle Ramczyk, Isaiah Ramczyk, and 22 (+1) great grandchildren.  Her sister Mariann Brantmeier and brother-in-law Vernon (Pam) Geiger and Donald Hoffman.

Maxine was preceded in death by her parents and brother Gerald (Joy) Thiel, brother-in-law: Donald Brantmeier, brother-in-law Richard (Janet Hoffman) Geiger, Simon Geiger, Geraldine Gabres, Peter (Peg) Geiger, John (Leona) Geiger, Floyd Geiger, Mary Lois Huybers, Emily (Ronald) Reis., her son-in-law: Charles Willman and daughter-in-law: Ruth Geiger.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, December 16, 2024 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Brillion.  Officiating will be Rev. Tom Pomeroy and Deacon Greg Van Thiel.  Burial will be in Holy Family Cemetery in Brillion.

The family will greet relatives and friends at the church on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until 12:45 p.m.

Online condolences may be made:  www.pielhop.com

The family requests in lieu of sending flowers, a donation is made in Maxine’s name to Spierings Cancer Foundation.  (spieringscancerfoundation.org).

From Maxine and family:  Thank you to all who prayed, sent cards, food or support for my husband Ray and children.  Special thanks to all the people who came to visit me.  Thank you to the medical staff at Ascension Cancer Center at St. Elizabeth Hospital and Calumet County Hospice.   A heartfelt thank you to Sarah at Pielhop Funeral Homes in Brillion for the compassionate care for Mom and our family.  Also, thank you to Father Tom Pomeroy for prayers and blessings during my journey. 

The Pielhop Funeral Home in Brillion is assisting the Geiger Family with funeral arrangements.