A Mass of Christian Burial was held on January 17, 2026, at St.

Gabriel Catholic Church in Hazard. Interment followed the service at the Litchfield Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials are suggested to Litchfield Cemetery or the family to be designated later.

Please visit www.hlmkfuneral. com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney is in charge of arrangements.

Maxine was born June 23, 1933, in rural Sherman County, to Victor and Belle (Grudzinski) Kosmicki. She was the second child and raised with her five siblings in the Rockville area. Maxine attended school in rural Sherman County but only attended until the eighth grade, as she needed to stay home and take care of her younger siblings and help her parents farm. At seventeen years old, she moved to Grand Island to work as a grocery store checker. After her mother passed away, Maxine moved to Litchfield with her father and siblings, and they operated the café and that is where she met her future husband, Merlyn Lewis.

On September 15, 1956, Maxine and Merlyn were married in Hazard.

In their early years they farmed and owned a dairy farm near Litchfield. They later owned and operated Max’s Market in Litchfield for forty years. Maxine can be remembered for her countless years of dedicated involvement to the community of Litchfield.

She was a member of St. Gabriel Catholic Church Altar Society, Dads, Lads, and Lassie Hunt, and Litchfield American Legion Auxiliary.

As her children got older, Maxine enjoyed bowling with her friends and loved traveling to casinos to test her luck with the slot machines. She was very proud of her children and grandchildren.

Maxine is survived by her son, Mitchell and Susie Lewis of Roosevelt, Arizona; daughters, Michelle Lewis and Randy Allen of Kearney, Lisa and Randy Meister of Omaha, and Sandy and Justin Wagner of Springfield; grandchildren, Chris, Calvin, Cassie, Megan, Cordell, Tad, Jacob, Alex, Elizabeth, Alyson, Ryan, Braden, Kate, Abby, and Jack; great grandchildren, Harlie, Paxton, Brody, Bronson, Vivian, Mia, Beckham, Mason, Blakely, Cashton, Lane, Katherine, Krew, Cole, and Ryleigh; great great- granddaughter, Ivy; sister, Rita Lewis of Litchfield; and many nieces and nephews.

Maxine was preceded in death by her husband, Merlyn in 2018; son, Anthony Lewis in 1971; parents, Victor and Belle Kosmicki; in laws, Melvin and Trena Lewis; siblings, William and Leona Schuda, Lavern and Judy Kosmicki, Elaine Anstine, Larry Lucas, and Tom Kosmicki; brother in law, Cortez Lewis; and nieces, Holly Lewis and Sheryl Schuda Garrett.

The Sherman County Times | January 21, 2026