Maxine Witt, 84, Fertile, MN, and resident of Fair Meadow Nursing Home, passed away on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.

Maxine was born to parents, Melvin and Myrtle Urness on a farm in Russia Township on February 22, 1937. A doctor was to attend to the birth, but because of a snow storm, was unable to get there. So, Maxine was delivered by a midwife and a helpful neighbor woman. She was welcomed by an older brother, Milo and an older sister, Marilyn. Later, two more siblings, Mylan and Marsha were added to the family.

In 1939 the Urness family was able to buy a farm in Onstad Township so Maxine attended Wayside Country School north of Melvin Station. She went to high school in Fertile, graduating in 1954. After graduation, Maxine went to Fargo where she was employed at First National Bank. In the fall of 1954, she moved to Minneapolis, where she was employed by Cargill Inc. When she married Walter Witt in September of 1961, they made their home in Bloomington, eventually buying a home there.

She was often visited by friends and relatives from northern Minnesota who came to the cities for business or pleasure. She also provided rooming for nieces and nephews who were seeking work in the cities. She will be fondly remembered for her warm and fun loving personality.

Maxine retired from Cargill in 1997. She moved to Fertile in 2000. She enjoyed her homes and pets, shopping at Encore, and also a little traveling. Maxine is a Jehovah's Witness and has associated with Congregations in Bloomington, Fertile, and now Crookston.

Maxine is survived by a sister, Marsha (Vernon) Olson of Fertile; sister in law, Janice Urness of Crookston; nephews, Perry (Jennie) Urness of Beltrami, Dean (Rita) Urness of Grand Forks, ND, Brett (Kimberly) Urness of Grand Forks, ND, Danny Urness of Fosston, David Urness of Crookston, Darin Urness of Salem, SD, Kent Bernstein of Naples, FL and Mark (Teresa) Olson of Fargo, ND; nieces, Denise Urness of Crookston, Gail (Jim) Hinkemeyer of Belize, Central America, Jane (Scott) Souder of Bovey, MN, Myla (Paul) Epley of Frisco TX, and Larissa (Ron) Borchert of Hackensack, MN; and many great nieces and nephews.

Maxine is preceded in death by her parents, Melvin and Myrtle Urness; husband, Walter; brothers, Milo and Mylan; sister, Marilyn Bernstein; sister in law, Blanche Urness; brother in law, Kenneth Bernstein; niece, Diane Urness; and nephew, Keith Bernstein.

A memorial service for Maxine will be held via Zoom conferencing on Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 2:00 PM. The Zoom code is 886119053/PC 168141.

Inurnment : Fertile City Cemetery, Fertile, MN. (At a later date.)

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