Maxine Buerkle

Maxine Buerkle, 85, of Billings, passed away on August 24, 2025. She was born July 16, 1940, in Big Timber, Montana, to John and Merle McMillen, and grew up with her brother, Allen McMillen, and sister, Velma Brown.

She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings and only daughter Fran Swartz, whom she missed dearly and spoke of often. She leaves behind a proud legacy in her children: Todd Bailey (Paula), Bill Bolles (Robyn), and Richard Buerkle (Shannon); her grandchildren: Myriah Alexie (Sawyer), Sarah Swartz, Abigale Swartz, Jamie Richard (Ryan), Sheila Veatch (Casey), Ashley Bracha (John), Justin Bolles, Kilah Bolles, Gavin Bolles, Sena Buerkle and Wyatt Buerkle (Rachael); and great-grandchildren Charleigh and Sterling Veatch (with little baby Buerkle on the way) as well as several nieces and nephews.

Maxine was a hard worker all her life. She spent many years as the custodian at Reed Point School, where she kept things spotless and real. She also delivered newspapers for years, a job that gave her a reason to connect with neighbors (and keep tabs on everyone). After she was no longer able to deliver papers, she still stayed connected with everyone she knew either by catching up over a cup of coffee or through her large online social circle. She had over 1,000 Facebook friends and still somehow managed to like or comment on nearly every post. She didn’t miss a thing and definitely always kept you on your toes. 

Fiercely proud of her family, Maxine never missed a chance to brag about her kids and grandkids—even if they didn’t always know it. She wasn’t exactly your “baking cookies and knitting” kind of grandma. Maxine was more of a "tell you what’s what while beating you at pinochle" kind of lady. She had a dry wit, a sharp tongue (never mean, just honest), but had deep love for her family and friends.  She will be loved and not forgotten, but we will all have to “hurry up and wait” to see her again. 

A celebration of Maxine’s life will be held at Reed Point High School, 308 Central Ave. Reed Point, MT Saturday August 30th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, where stories will be shared, laughter will be loud, and coffee will be plentiful—just how she’d want it.

Memorial contributions may be made in Maxine's name to Stillwater Hospice.