Click for Video Tribute Maxine Marie (Fried) Fudge, 64, of Big Horn, WY, passed away on Sunday, July 24, 2016, at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings, MT surrounded by her family. She battled cancer for nearly 12 years with courage and positivity. She welcomed God’s challenge to show people that it is possible to have cancer and still live a full life. She was born on January 7, 1952, in Hettinger, ND, to parents Berthold and Mildred Marie (Rietdorf) Fried. She was raised on her family’s farm near Meadow, South Dakota.Maxine attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota. After moving home, she met Dean Fudge when he moved to teach and coach at the local high school in her hometown of Bison, South Dakota. They married on June 19, 1976, and recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. In 1977, Dean and Maxine moved to Big Horn where they made their lifetime home. During those years they raised their two daughters, Megan and Misty, whom she adored. For 31 years she was a paraprofessional for Sheridan County School District #1 and #2; she worked at Big Horn School, Taylor School, Sheridan Jr. High, and most recently Sheridan High School. Max genuinely loved the students and staff with whom she worked.Maxine thrived on socializing and visiting with people. She loved her family and friends, especially her grandchildren. She looked forward to her sister weekends with Kim and Susan and their adventures in matching attire. Max shared a sisterly bond with Gayle Wells after they met while working together at Taylor School. She enjoyed being involved and supporting her daughters’ sports and activities, especially traveling throughout Wyoming for high school rodeos. After her daughters moved for college, Maxine developed a love for the southwest and enjoyed traveling south with her husband. She attended the National Finals Rodeo for over 30 years with her family. Maxine was an avid reader and loved live music, especially the Big Horn Mountain Bluegrass Festival. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church.Maxine was preceded in death by her father Berthold, mother-in-law and father-in-law, Frank and Nellie Fudge and numerous aunts and uncles. She is survived by her mother, Mildred of Sturgis, SD, husband, Dean of Big Horn, WY, daughters, Megan (Philip) Emmons of Miles City, MT, Misty (Kirby) Taylor of Kirby, MT, Lori Van Buggenum of Tucson, AZ, siblings, Jim (Diane) Fried of Ridgeview, SD, Tom (Cathy) Fried of Sheridan, WY, Susan (Bret) Allart of Belle Fourche, SD, Kimberly (Robert) Shannon of Dupree, SD, grandchildren, Josie Emmons,Tori Emmons and Samuel Taylor and her dear friend, Gayle Wells.A Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Friday, July 29, 2016, at Kane Funeral Home. Services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, July 30, 2016, at the First Baptist Church with Pastor John Craft officiating. Interment will be in the Mount Hope Cemetery in Big Horn with a reception to follow at the Big Horn Equestrian Center. In the spirit of Tough Enough to Wear Pink, please consider wearing pink to honor Maxine.The Cancer Treatment Center of America ensured that she was always able to be treated at their center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Maxine’s home away from home, even when changes in her insurance meant Tulsa was an out of network provider. Memorials to honor Maxine can be made to the Cancer Treatment Center of America/AIHC, 10109 E 79th St, Tulsa, OK 74133.Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.