Chelsy Maxwell

Chelsy in December of 2019

### Siblings

Mitchell Bontrager, Allison Helferich, Carson Bontrager, Joshua Bontrager, Denver Bontrager, Lincoln Bontrager, Elizabeth Bontrager, Hudson Bontrager, Rebecca Bontrager

### Children

Axton Maxwell, Elliot Maxwell, Madeline Maxwell

Chelsy Renee (Bontrager) Maxwell is the oldest of Marlin and Becky Bontrager's ten children. She is married to John Maxwell, and they have three children; Axton, Elliot, and Madeline Maxwell.

## Early Life

Chelsy Renee Bontrager was born on January 29, 1991, to Marlin and Becky Bontrager. She is the couple's oldest child, and they went on to have nine more children after her.

Along with her siblings, Chelsy was homeschooled growing up. Additionally, she took music lessons, including taking piano lessons from Tammi Miller and Susan See. She graduated in June of 2008.

Much of Chelsy's childhood was spent touring with her family's band, as detailed on the family blog.

## Family

### Courtship

On November 8, 2016, Chelsy began a relationship with John Maxwell via a phone call.

### Engagement

On October 9, 2017, she announced that she had accepted John's proposal. John proposed in one of the family's hay fields near the woods, and he presented her with a ring he designed himself.

### Wedding

Chelsy married John Maxwell on December 30, 2017, at Marion Avenue Baptist Church in Washington, IA. She had fourteen bridesmaids, including her sisters Allison and Elizabeth Bontrager and future sisters-in-law Melanie, Anna Marie, Sarah, Anna, and Mary Maxwell. For their honeymoon, the couple went to Texas. They now reside near John's family in Kansas.

### Motherhood

On August 20, 2018, Chelsy announced on her website that she and John were expecting their first child, who was due January 23, 2019. The couple decided to learn the sex of the child, but did not announce in advance. They planned for a home birth with a midwife.

At 11:15p on January 26, 2019, Chelsy gave birth to her first child, Axton John Maxwell. He weighed 7 lb, 5 oz, and was 20 inches long. After laboring for 24 hours at home, Chelsy had to go to the hospital for unknown reasons.

On December 29, 2019, Chelsy announced on her website that she and John are expecting their second child in June 2020. Their second son, Elliot Rex Maxwell, was born on June 19th, 2020.

On May 13, 2021, Chelsy announced on her website that she and John are expecting their third child in September 2021.

Madeline Sue Maxwell was born on July 9, 2021. She was 10 weeks early. Madeline weighed 3lb, 7oz at birth and is likely to be in the NICU until at least her original due date.

## Career

### Bontrager Family Singers

As the oldest child in the Bontrager family, Chelsy worked for the family band in a variety of capacities. In addition to playing piano, mandolin, and guitar and singing alto, she taught instruments to her younger siblings and worked as a secretary and photographer. She no longer works for the band as of October, 2017, when she quit to focus on wedding planning. Before leaving the family band, she trained her sister Elizabeth to take over as lead pianist.

*profile photo credit*

## References

1. ↑ http://bontragersingers.blogspot.com/2008/07/chelsys-graduation.html
2. ↑ http://bontragersingers.blogspot.com/2008/07/chelsys-graduation.html
3. ↑ http://bontragersingers.blogspot.com/
4. ↑ http://www.chelsyrenee.com/2017/11/one-year-ago-today.html
5. ↑ http://www.chelsyrenee.com/2017/10/im-getting-married.html
6. ↑ http://bontragersingers.blogspot.com/2017/10/god-is-blessing-our-family-with-another.html
7. ↑ http://bontragersingers.blogspot.com/2017/12/john-chelsys-wedding-livestream.html
8. ↑ https://blog.titus2.com/2018/01/01/happy-new-year-2018/
9. ↑ http://bontragersingers.blogspot.com/2018/02/life-update-from-john-and-chelsy.html
10. ↑ http://www.chelsyrenee.com/2018/08/baby-on-way.html
11. ↑ http://www.chelsyrenee.com/2019/01/our-baby-has-arrived.html
12. ↑ http://www.chelsyrenee.com/2019/12/merry-christmas-happy-new-year-and.html
13. ↑ http://www.chelsyrenee.com/2021/05/announcing-baby-3.html
14. ↑ http://www.chelsyrenee.com/2021/07/our-baby-is-here.html
15. ↑ http://bontragersingers.blogspot.com/2017/10/meet-chelsy.html
16. ↑ http://bontragersingers.blogspot.com/2017/10/meet-elizabeth.html