Maxwell P. Heffner
Maxwell Patrick Heffner, 26, of Hempstead, TX, and formerly from Trempealeau, WI, passed away peacefully, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in the comfort of his home, ending his battle with epilepsy. We are heartbroken that epilepsy won.
Maxwell was born March 19, 1999, to Joseph and Perian (Zillmer) Heffner, in La Crosse. Early on, sports and the outdoors quickly became the center of Maxwell’s life. Playing baseball and curling from elementary school all the way through high school. Hunting was another passion for Maxwell. He spent many hours hunting for the big buck…many of those hours spent with his mother. Some of his most memorable hunts were to Wyoming with a couple of high school buddies, hunting antelope and mule deer, and in Montana with his grandfather and father, hunting mule deer, and his final elk hunt with his father in the beautiful mountains of Colorado in September 2024.
Maxwell was also an experienced traveler. Every August, he would travel with his mom on a new adventure. Quickly coined their “M&M” trips for Mom and Max and traveled extensively throughout the United States. He also traveled to Europe prior to his senior year in high school. When he was not traveling, his favorite activities were hanging out with the gang on the Mississippi sandbars, and sitting around a good bonfire with friends.
As part of his adventurous spirit, after High School, Maxwell spread his wings traveling to Texas to attend Blinn College in Brenham, TX, completing his Associate Degree in Business Management. Maxwell never enjoyed down time, so while attending college, he also worked at Brenham National Bank and HEB Grocery Store.
In 2019, at the ripe age of 20, Maxwell purchased his home in Hempstead and Texas officially became his home, much to his loving grandmother’s chagrin.
Maxwell touched many, many people in his life, but it is not until his passing that we have discovered the breadth of his impact on others. He has been lovingly described as hard working, caring, quiet, gentle, loving, generous, fiercely loyal, and yes, adventurous. Many people did not see the adventurous side of Max, but if it involved adrenaline, he was all over it. He recently told a friend he wanted to go sky diving. We can now say he has done so.
We want to thank everyone for their outpouring of love and support during this very difficult time, and to our new friends in Texas, your generosity is truly indescribable. A special thank you to HEB, First Class BBQ, and Brenham National Bank, for assisting us with Maxwell’s memorial service.
Maxwell is survived by his parents, Joseph and Perian Heffner; along with numerous uncles, aunts, cousins and relatives. He was preceded in death by grandparents, Larry and Dolorous Heffner; and Arthmon “Butch” & Deanna Zillmer.
A Texas memorial/visitation in Hempstead, TX, was held Friday, April 4, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at First Class BBQ, 745 Hwy. 290 N, Hempstead, TX. An additional memorial/visitation will be arranged in Wisconsin and will be announced at a later date. Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family.
