Maxine was born Maudella Maxine Eldred on November 2, 1924 to Chester A. Eldred and Edith Jane (Plotner) Eldred in Portland, Oregon. As a child she enjoyed drawing, Camp Fire Girls, swimming, playing violin and tennis. The family lived on a farm in Tigard when she was small. She attended Portland Polytech and Hoquiam High School briefly.
She married Arne August Asikainen on February 11, 1943 at Montesano, Washington. Arne and Maxine raised three daughters in Aberdeen Washington. Maxine worked a short time in an Aberdeen department store but was a homemaker and artist most of her life. She perfected her skills through art lessons from well known artists in the community. In 1972 she was chosen by fellow artists as "Artist of the Year" and her work was featured in many galleries.
Maxine and Arne moved to Belfair when Arne retired. They built a studio and she taught many students how to draw and paint. Maxine applied her art skills in many areas including quilting, ceramics, making and painting dolls, making period costumes for dolls and French hand sewing. Maxine made miniatures to scale. She made doll houses and designed and molded all of the interior furnishings.
Maxine was preceded in death by a nephew Dickie, her parents and five siblings, William, Claude, Robert, Elizabeth and Carol, her husband Arne and one grandchild Jeffrey Knight. She is survived by her daughters Melody Knight (Carl), Port Orchard, Sherry Hulscher (Ron), Aberdeen and Dawn Radebaugh (Steve), Dayton, WA. five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 4th at Harrison Family Mortuary in Aberdeen with reception following at the home of Ron and Sherry Hulscher, 412 W. 8th St., Aberdeen. Donations may be made in her name to the Aberdeen Food Bank.