Maxine Elsheimer

Maxine S. Elsheimer, 83, of Waukon died Monday, August 10, 2020 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Graveside services were held Monday, August 17 at Oakland Cemetery in Waukon with Pastor Grant VanderVelden officiating. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled the arrangements.

Maxine Sue Elsheimer was born July 1, 1937 in Waukon, the daughter of Arlynn and Ann (Ennullat) Elsheimer. She graduated from Waukon High School in 1955 and went to college for a few years. Maxine was the only child, but was never spoiled. She was very close to her mother, father, stepfather, and three of her female cousins.

Max was very intelligent and did very well in high school. When she was in high school, Max was very popular and had many close friends in both high school and college. Max had many friends on both coasts and continued to keep in touch with them throughout the years.

She was an artist and loved to draw, paint with water colors, and work with pottery. Max enjoyed music, dancing, playing the piano, history, presidential history, fashion, dresses, hats, bows, frills, jewelry, and all of the accessories. She loved flowers that she would share with others from her mother’s garden just to brighten their day. Max once stated,” If I could come back, I would come back as a million roses.”

When she was a resident at Makee Manor, she enjoyed going out for breakfast at the S&D, lunch at Rossville, dances, chapel services, van rides, crafts, feeding the cats, sitting on the patio for the cook-outs, and socializing.

Max was a member of First Presbyterian Church, where she enjoyed visiting with the other members, services, communion visits from the pastor, and the cards and gifts she would receive from the other members. Her faith in God was very strong; when she was unable to pray, she would ask others to pray for her. When Max was not able to attend church Sundays, she would listen to the St. John’s Lutheran Church radio service.

When Makee Manor closed she moved to Northgate Care Center, where she enjoyed living. Max remained very sharp, developing friendships with the staff, remembering their families, and would never fail to ask how their family was doing. When insomnia set in, she enjoyed going out to the dining room for her midnight chats and snacks with the staff. Thank you to all the people in Maxine’s life who took care of her over the years. She was a lovely lady; rest in peace, Max.

She is survived by her cousins and was preceded in death by her parents and her step-father, Steve Smey. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.