Maxine Johnson's Obituary
Maxine June Johnson, daughter of Frederick and Eliza Bell Hill Thomas, was born May 18, 1929, in Dayton, Iowa. She departed this life Thursday, December 8, 2011, in St. John?s Hospital, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-two years, six months, and twenty days.
On August 9, 1948, in Fayetteville, Arkansas, she was united in marriage to Arnold Franklin Johnson, and to this union two daughters were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Arnold, on July 16, 2009; a daughter, Kristie Johnson Tilden; and a brother, Frederick Thomas.
Maxine is survived by a daughter, Marsha Carpenter, and her husband, Herbert, of Kansas City, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Jennifer, Kimberly, Angela, Leanna, Michelle, Tessa, and Jon Tyler; ten great-grandchildren, Noah, Spencer, Abigail, Triston, Colton, Anakin, Collin, Theodore, Luke, and Violet; a brother, Kenneth Thomas, and his wife, Bonnie, of Reeds Spring, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was born and raised in Dayton, Iowa, and played basketball during her high school years. After graduating from high school, she and Arnold were soon married, and they lived in various towns in Iowa. They eventually made their home in Ames, Iowa. In addition to being a devoted homemaker to her husband and daughters, Maxine also worked as a presser for a dry cleaning business for over forty years. In 1988, Maxine and Arnold made their retirement home in Lebanon. They spent their winter months in Texas, where they made many good friends and enjoyed returning each year.
In her spare time she enjoyed being outdoors where she liked camping and fishing. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed preparing favorite recipes for her family and friends. She had a delightful sense of humor and liked telling stories of her early years. Her family was very important to her and she especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Maxine was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt, and was a caring friend. We celebrate her life and know that her family and friends will cherish the wonderful memories she created for them throughout the years.
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