Maxine Schanilec passed away on July 1, 2026 at Lutheran Sunset Home, Grafton ND. Maxine, daughter of the late Joseph J. and Hattie H. (Dvorak) Schanilec, was born May 26, 1937 at the farm in Ops Twsp, ND. She graduated from Ops Dist 33 rural school, from Minto High School and she received a Bachelor of Business Science degree in accounting from Upper Iowa University in Lafayette IA. During her career she worked in Grand Forks ND, Seattle WA, Palo Alto CA, Minneapolis MN and back to ND.
Maxine loved to travel and with the help of her cousin, Martha Jelinek, she made contact with the Bares/Schanilec family in Hurka, Czech Republic (CR). Unfortunately, after just one communication with the CR, the communication stopped. Some years later, she had the opportunity to travel to CR. While it was still under communist control, the country did allow her trip to Hurka to meet her relatives, an experience of a lifetime. She visited with them several times after that initial meeting, including a trip to Prague where she met other relatives from ND who also visited with these relatives.
Maxine was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her siblings: Albertine (Gene - dec.) Ricard, Zimmerman MN; Phyllis (Carl) Wilkes, Grand Forks ND, Danette (Phil) McKenzie, Bismarck ND and brothers Francis (Mary - dec.) Schanilec, Grand Forks ND, Richard Schanilec, Forest River ND and David Schanilec, Viola KS. And Terry Lee.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at 1 pm at St John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Grafton ND. Visitation begins at 12 pm before Mass. Interment will be at Calvary South Cemetery, Grand Forks ND.
Maxine loved to travel and with the help of her cousin, Martha Jelinek, she made contact with the Bares/Schanilec family in Hurka, Czech Republic (CR). Unfortunately, after just one communication with the CR, the communication stopped. Some years later, she had the opportunity to travel to CR. While it was still under communist control, the country did allow her trip to Hurka to meet her relatives, an experience of a lifetime. She visited with them several times after that initial meeting, including a trip to Prague where she met other relatives from ND who also visited with these relatives.
Maxine was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her siblings: Albertine (Gene - dec.) Ricard, Zimmerman MN; Phyllis (Carl) Wilkes, Grand Forks ND, Danette (Phil) McKenzie, Bismarck ND and brothers Francis (Mary - dec.) Schanilec, Grand Forks ND, Richard Schanilec, Forest River ND and David Schanilec, Viola KS. And Terry Lee.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at 1 pm at St John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Grafton ND. Visitation begins at 12 pm before Mass. Interment will be at Calvary South Cemetery, Grand Forks ND.