In loving memory of

Maxine Flynn
January 2, 2010

Emma Maxine (Smith) Flynn was born on February 22, 1926 in Maitland, Missouri. She was the first child born to Vernon T. and Anna Blanche (McKinney) Smith. She lost her courageous battle with cancer, but won eternal peace with God on January 2, 2010.

Maxine's parents moved to Northboro, IA when she was five months old. Her father owned a garage and gas station. Maxine graduated from Northboro High School with the Class of 1943. During her high school years she played basketball, and especially enjoyed the band and chorus. She joined the Methodist Church in Northboro.

Maxine was united in marriage to Cecil Flynn in Hiawatha, KS on November 29, 1946. She worked for Henry Field Seed & Nursery in the office and in 1966, she began working at Nishna Valley Lumber Company, as a bookkeeper. She later retired and provided child care from her home. She had fond memories of teaching Sunday School at Memorial Baptist Church in Shenandoah and later joined the Nishna Valley Christian Church, where she was blessed with many new friends. She loved to praise God through her music.

Maxine was preceded in death by her husband Cecil, son Patrick Flynn, her parents, a loving mother-in-law Lillie Flynn, a brother Lawrence "Bud" Smith, a sister Mary Smith, numerous brothers and sisters-in-laws, and nieces Beverly Almquist, Nancy Heard, and Kristie Rasmussen.

Those left to cherish her memory include her sons Michael Flynn of Shenandoah and Danny Flynn of Des Moines, IA; a daughter Sharon Riley and husband Jerry of Pittsburg, KS; a sister Wanda Rasmussen of Seattle, WA; grandchildren Amy McClintock and husband Chad, Shawn Flynn and wife Heather, Patrick Riley and wife Marcie, Mark Flynn, Emily Valquier, Joseph Riley, Natalie Rockwell and husband Tim, Kerry Riley, Jennifer Flynn, and Nick Flynn; 12 great-grandchildren; a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Anthony Buck Hansen wrote on Jan 8, 2010:

"Danny, I'm so sorry to read about the loss of your mother. My intention was to make it to the visitation to wish you well and talk of the old days. Take care. Tony Hansen Shenandoah class of 1973 Contact me on Facebook if you have a chance http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=Anthony+Buck+Hansen&init=quick#/search/?flt=1&q=Anthony%20Buck%20Hansen&o=2048&sid=673722828.1447817323..1 "

Barbara Blank wrote on Jan 6, 2010:

"So sorry to hear about the passing of Maxine... She was a dear lady...she used to babysit my 2 girls.....Loved her dearly.."

Barb Cox wrote on Jan 6, 2010:

"Mike - My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow in your life - I have known your family and mom for many years. She was a great lady and will be missed by many in our small community. Please accept my sympathies Barb Cox "

Judy Raya wrote on Jan 6, 2010:

"my thoughts and prayers are with the family. mike was so supportive at the time of my mother's death and i want him to know how sorry i am for his loss."

Ron Perry wrote on Jan 5, 2010:

"To Maxine's family, sorry for your loss. I will miss her playing the organ."

Lindsey Richards wrote on Jan 5, 2010:

"Maxine will be greatly missed. She was a big influence to my sisters and I from birth until I was 10. She had us anytime my mother wasnt working and after school as we got older. She loved playing the piano for us and always had activities. I feel she was a loving, generous and caring person that I will never forget."

JANET WESTERN wrote on Jan 5, 2010:

"Danny I am sosorry to hear about your mother."

Carolyn Ruhde wrote on Jan 4, 2010:

"Dear Ones, Since I am in Tucson assisting a cousin after her surgery, I will be unable to attend your mother's service. I went to see Maxine before I left and let her know I loved her and would see her again in Heaven. I am so thankful I did that. I am sorry I can not be among you to honor her memory on Thurs, but know that I care. Love & sympathy to your family, Carolyn Ruhde"

Sally & Bill Hopkins wrote on Jan 4, 2010:

"Danny, Our thoughts are with you Mike and Sharon. Maxine was a rock in your family. I know you will miss her a lot. It's never easy to lose a mother regardless of your age or her age. Know she had a good long life. "

Bob and Carla Ray wrote on Jan 4, 2010:

"Maxine was such a strong and gentle person who made an impact on us. She love the Lord and His church and shared her life and her talents to serve. It was wonderful to be her pastor for eleven years and see her pour her energy into playing the piano and helping God's people worship. She cared deeply about others and was continually serving them. We will miss her, but know she is with Jesus, joining with believers of all ages singing the praises of "the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." We will be praying for all the family in this time of grief."

Megan (Herr) Smith and Family wrote on Jan 3, 2010:

"Sorry to hear about your loss. I remember going to Maxine's house when I was a little girl. She was such a sweet lady. She will be missed deeply. God Bless!!! "

Terry ann Schaper wrote on Jan 3, 2010:

"OH MAN I JUST CAME UPON HACKETT LIVINGTON FUNERAL HOME INFO AND FIND SHE GONE OH DEAR I FEELFOR HER KNOWING SHE HASNT BEEN FEELING ALL THAT GREAT MY DAUGHTER FALL FOR HER WHEN SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL ATTEND CHURCH AT MEMORAIL BAPTIST AND MAXINE WOULD ALWAYS SIT WITH HER DURING CHURCH OR MY DAUGHTER WOULD SIT WITH HER AND SHE IS SO AWESOME AT PLAYING THE ORGAN AND THE PIANIO OH DEAR I FEEL SO BAD THIS HAS HAPPEN AT LEAST SHE DOESNT HAVE TO SUFFER THE PAIN ANYMORE AND THAT SHE IS NOW JOIN AT HOME WITH HER HUSBAND GOD BLESS HER I AM GONNA MISS HER SO MUCH MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND GUIDE AND COMFORT YOU ALL FORMER MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH FRIEND OF HER I AM DEAF AND LIVE HERE IN SHENANDOAH NOT TOO FAR WHERE SHE LIVE ON FREMONT ROAD I LIVE AT 1110 WEST LOWELL MY DAUGHTER LISA IS AT 1305 WEST LOWELL HER NAME IS NOW HUMMEL SHE MARRIED MINE IS TERRY ANN SCHAPER I WANT TO INCLUDE MY AUNT NAME ON THIS LISTED TOO BECAUSE SHE KNOW HER FROM WHEN WE WERE FORMER CHURCH FRIEND OF HER AND MY DAUGHTER WOULD COME HOME FROM CHURCH TALKING HER HEAD OFF ABOUT MAXINE TAKE CARE TERRY ANN SCHAPER"

Diane Wilson wrote on Jan 3, 2010:

"What an incredibly wonderful woman! Maxine shared herself and her love of music with everyone she knew. I remember when she accompanied my trumpet solos for contest when I was young and when she played organ/piano for our church. More than anything, I was blessed to have Maxine care for Bryan from six weeks of age til he started school all day in first grade. It was like having a grandma take care of him. To this day I believe in my heart that his love of music comes from the hours spent beside Maxine when she played that piano and sang with him. She was a beautiful and very loved person who we will always hold very deeply in our hearts. No doubt she is having a wonderful time making that piano dance in heaven!! God Bless You All."