Maxene Gay Tessman passed away September 4, 2026 in Red Deer, Alberta, peacefully after a brief battle with cancer. She is survived by her children Kara (Kevin) Claerhout, Kent (Jennifer), and Dean (Andrea), her grandchildren Ryan and Grant, Oliver and Harrison, and Anastasia and Avery, and her loving siblings.

Maxene was born on January 30, 1946, in Biggar, Saskatchewan to Jacob and Frieda Hoffman. She spent the first ten years of her life living on the family farm near Churchbridge with her brother (Larry) and three sisters: Lorna, Sharon, and Karen, and attending school in the nearby one-room schoolhouse.

The family moved to Medicine Hat, Alberta in 1957 where Maxene completed high school. She went on to attend the University of Alberta in Edmonton and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree, then worked at the University of Alberta Hospital lab and the University’s Surgical Medical Research Institute.

In 1966, Maxene married Ed Tessman — newly a high school teacher and later a principal — and they first resided in Grande Prairie, Alberta, where their three children were born. A short while later they moved south to Innisfail where they would remain, in the house that they built, until their children were grown.

Maxene’s children have often reflected on what it meant to have such a truly privileged upbringing. From elaborate birthday cakes and sugary homemade doughnuts to the constant whir of the sewing machine, to rides to early morning hockey games and after-school jobs, their mother was an ever-present and unfailing source of love and support.

Somehow during all of this she also managed to find the time and energy to work even more, for many years selling and installing custom window coverings for homes and businesses throughout Central Alberta.

As a grandmother, Maxene enjoyed spending time with and doting on her six adoring grandchildren. No matter how far away they might have been, she was always keenly interested in what they were up to and deeply invested in how they were doing.

From an early age, Maxene sang. Beginning with the Girls’ Chorus at her Medicine Hat Church, for many years she contributed her wonderful alto voice to a variety of groups including Central Alberta’s Chatelaine. Her years of singing yielded many life-long friendships. She also sang with those from Peace Lutheran Church, where she became a member after coming to Innisfail and continued to be for the rest of her life.

In 2016, Maxene and Ed celebrated 50 years of marriage together.

Not too long afterward, they relocated a short distance up the highway and set about establishing their new home in Red Deer.

Over the years, they were also able to travel extensively together, and Maxene held many fond memories of their trips throughout the United States and to Mexico, Australia, China, and Europe.

In 2020, Ed unexpectedly passed away, but after that great loss Maxene was able to embark on a new chapter of her life. She moved into a beautiful condo in Red Deer and began living on her own for in fact the first time, enjoying a rich social life with friends new and old, and many activities including puzzling, quilting, working at the Golden Circle Bingo, and perennially cheering for the Toronto Blue Jays.

It was there that she lived until her own passing.

She will be deeply missed and forever loved by all.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alberta Cancer Foundation 10123 99 Street, NW #710

Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 3H1 or at www.albertacancer.ca or to the Red Deer Hospice Society 99 Arnot Ave. Red Deer, Alberta T4R 3S6 or at www.reddeerhospice.com Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403.227.0006

• Date : 2026-09-20
• Location : Heartland Funeral Services (Innisfail) "Honouring Families Since 1999" www.heartlandfuneralservices.com 403.227.0006