Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

Maxine Fritzler Watson, formerly of Worland passed away at Sheridan Memorial Hospital on July 9, 2023. She was born in a Holly Sugar house in Worland on May 18, 1926 to Mary Evelyn Fritzler and Henry H. Fritzler. Her mother died shortly after she was born, so her grandparents, Rose Lee Johnson and Russell Johnson raised her along with her aunt and four uncles.

Maxine had a passion for music and began her musical career at a very young age. She took piano lessons from Mrs Colter. She composed her first piano piece in her early elementary days. She continued in High School where she sang, played the clarinet and accompanied singing and instrumental groups. She graduated from Worland High School in 1944 and traveled alone to Oberlin, Ohio, where she attended Oberlin Music Conservatory and received a Bachelor's of Piano in 1948.

Maxine came back to Worland after graduating and married the love of her life, John Thomas Watson in 1948. They spent a year in California while Tom finished school and moved back to Worland to start their family.

Maxine taught piano lessons before and after school and all day Saturday. Besides her private students, she was the First United Methodist church organist as well as the choir director for approximately 50 years in this capacity. She played for weddings, funerals, class nights, and many other occasions needing her talents.

Maxine, Dorothy Froyd, and Dick Schoeler initiated the Worland Community Players. Many musicals were a hit in Worland as Maxine sat at the piano directing the music. She wrote the music for an original musical entitled "The Corn's Up." It was presented two different times to Worland audiences.

In 1967, she went back to Eastern Montana College to get her teaching degree. In 1971 she began teaching music in the Worland School District. When she retired she continued her love of music in performing duo piano recitals for the Washakie County Museum, accompanying and singing in the Psalm Choir, and many other musical ventures.

After moving to Sheridan, she lived at the Sugarland Assisted Living facility. They made her transition much easier and were so kind and helpful. Her last four years were spent in the Whitney Cottage at Greenhouse Living. She loved being the hit of the party and thrived from the love and respect she received from those who took such good care of her.

Maxine was preceded in death by her mother, father, husband Tom, brothers Bruce and Robert Fritzler, and a sister Sally Sellars. She is survived by Leigh(Herb), Tracy(Ellen) and Dana(Gloria), six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

A service is pending at a later date in 2024. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Worland or the Washakie County Museum.

Online condolences may be written at http://www.kanefuneral.com.

Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.