Maxine Helen Leino, 83, Kettle River, died Sunday, August 12, 2018 in St. Luke's Hospital, Duluth.  She was born on February 18, 1935 to John and Alberta (Benning) Buck in Malmo Twp., Aitkin County.  At the age of 3 she moved to Moose Lake where she attended and graduated from Moose Lake High School in 1953.  On June 30, 1956, Maxine married Edsel Elmer Leino in Moose Lake.  They made their home in the Kettle River area for the entire time.  Maxine and Edsel didn't have any children of their own, but truly enjoyed many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and her beloved pets.  Maxine worked at the Moose Lake State Hospital from 1954-1970.  She then attended Hibbing Nurses College and graduated in 1972.  Maxine returned to the State Hospital as a RN until her retirement in March 1989.  She recalled many funny stories of patients and staff over the years.  Maxine liked helping others in any way she could.  With that though, if you knew her, she never minced words and never hesitated to speak her mind or let her intentions go unspoken.  Stubborn is a mild way to describe Maxine.

In her younger years, before she decided she hated flying, she enjoyed traveling to Mexico, Hawaii, and Europe.  She loved gardening, her flowers, and trips around the yard on the lawn mower.  She was a QVC queen on a first name basis there.  She also enjoyed summer flea markets and family holiday gatherings.

Maxine is preceded in death by her husband, Edsel Leino; parents: John and Alberta Buck; sister: Iva Korhonen; and brother: Jack Buck.

Maxine is survived by sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law; many nieces and nephews; great nieces and great nephews; and also her children (cats): Sky, Zane, Grey, Marmalade, and Sammy.

Maxine wanted to give special thanks to her caregivers and helpers over the last few years and toward the end, Yvonne Leino and Steven Korhonen.

At Maxine's request, there will be no services.  Inurnment will be in Sunrise Memorial Park, Hermantown.

Arrangements by Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake, MN.