Maxine Elizabeth Lott, 93, of Columbia City, died peacefully in the company of her daughter at 4:13 p.m. Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Miller's at Oak Pointe, Columbia City.

Born on September 7, 1931, in Huntington, Indiana, she was the daughter of the late Edward J. and Odelia R. (Ness) Teusch.  Growing up on a farm in Jefferson Twp., she completed elementary school and graduated from Jefferson Center High School in 1950.

In January of 1954, she married Richard Mullendore and started a family raising five children.  The couple later divorced.  Richard died in 1979.

On May 7, 1974, she was united in marriage to Benjamin F. Lott.  They made their home on a farm in Thorncreek Twp.  Benjamin died on February 1, 2004.  Maxine moved to Columbia City in late 2004.

For over thirty years, Maxine worked in production at Weatherhead Dana Corporation, Columbia City.  She retired in 1988.

An active member of Zion Lutheran Church, Columbia City, she participated in the Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) and met weekly to make comfort pads for cancer patients.  At home, she enjoyed gardening vegetables and flowers and feeding the birds, especially the hummingbirds.  She liked attending garage sales with her friends and was often the driver.  In her senior years, she kept her mind sharp by working with puzzle books and jigsaw puzzles.  She is remembered for her sharp wit.

Surviving are her children, Cheryl (Lynn) Stanley, Richard Mullendore, and Linda (Ronald) Kidd, all of Columbia City; a son-in-law, Ronald Jones of Columbia City; stepchildren, Chloe (Jaime) Burnham and Clara Leininger; nine grandchildren; many great and great-great-grandchildren; a stepbrother, O. Lynn Knisely; and a stepsister, Shirley Mossburg.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Julia Jones; a son, Edward T. Mullendore; a stepson, Denny Lott; a brother, Robert Teusch; and a sister-in-law, Marilee Teusch.

Visitation is from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday (Feb 26th) at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.  The funeral service is 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Zion Lutheran Church, 101 E North St., Columbia City, with visitation one hour prior.  Burial is at the St Matthews Cemetery.

Memorials in Maxine's honor are to the Zion Lutheran Church.