Max Maierhofer, of Antigo, died Sunday, December 6, 2015 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was 78 years old. He was born on December 7, 1936 in Wallendorf, Germany a son of Xavier and Krezenz (Reiter) Maierhofer. He married Susan Wurtinger-Schey on December 4, 2015. She survives.

As a young man Max worked on dairy farms in Germany. He came to the United States and settled in Milwaukee in April 1956. He worked for Kurney and Drecker for a short time. Max was a self taught engineer having worked for Utility Products for 22 years becoming Vice President of Design and Manufacturing. He designed the enclosures for the first underground telephone cable.

For 20 years he owned and operated Airsan Company where he developed and designed a heat exchanger and filter to help heat, cool and filter human blood.

In 1980 Max purchased 240 acres of land in Deerbrook where he grew cash crops. He moved to Deerbrook in 1998.

He enjoyed his pet dachshund’s, hunting, fishing and spending time at his cottage on Shawano Lake

Survivors including his wife and children, Monica Trester of Bonduel, Maximilian “Moxy” Maierhofer and fiancee Emily “Emmy” Schey of Deerbrook, Mark Maierhofer, Deerbrook, William (Kris) Schey, Wheaton, Illinois, Michael Schey II and special friend Carmen Waukau of Antigo; Shannon Schey of Antigo; six grandchildren Maria Maierhofer, Jason Trester, Allison and Janelle Monino, Abagail and Caleb LaQue; two sisters, Maria “Theresa” Buettner of Grafton, Zenz Dittmann of Germany; a brother Alois Maierhofer of Germany.

He was preceded in death by his sons, Michael and Matthew “Fatty” Maierhofer, his first wife Katharina Maierhofer; a grandchild, Nicholas LaQue, and seven brothers.

The funeral Mass will be held on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Wencel Catholic Church, Neva with Rev. David Schmidt officiating. Burial will take place in Kempster Lakeside Cemetery. Visitation will be 3 – 7 p.m. on Friday at the Bradley Funeral Home and 9 – 10 a.m. on Saturday also at the funeral home. The rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.