In loving memory of

Max R. Henderson
January 20, 2009

Max Raymond Henderson, the oldest of four sons of Georgia Ellen (McGill) and Roy Milton Henderson, was born on January 1, 1928 near Silver City, Iowa. Max grew up and attended country school near Silver City until his freshman year in 1943. The family then moved near Macedonia, Iowa where Max graduated from the Macedonia Consolidated School in 1946. Following school, Max farmed with his father.

Max and Melva Lavonne Bentley were married on August 17, 1948 at the United Methodist Church in Macedonia. They made their first home in Emerson, Iowa where Melva worked as chief telephone operator. They later moved to rural Malvern, Iowa to farm the C.F. Shaw farm. Five years later, they moved to a farm near Red Oak, Iowa and lived for two years before moving to a farm in the Wesley Chapel neighborhood north of Hastings, Iowa. Three years later, they moved to the Carson and Macedonia, Iowa area. During these years of their marriage, Max and Melva were blessed with five children, Charles David, Donald Lynn, Elaine Ellen, Maureen Kay, and James Everett. Eventually, Max purchased an acreage near Macedonia and he and Melva established Henderson Construction. Max operated a dozer, maintaining soil conservation and building field terraces for area farmers. He was a member of the Land Improvement Contractors of America. One by one, each of his sons joined into the family business which continues today.

Max raised horses throughout his life and eventually raised and trained two teams of driving mules.

Max was a member of the Macedonia United Methodist Church and had served on the church board. He enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren, fishing, camping, snowmobile riding, and on occasion, a generous serving of homemade blueberry pie.

In 2001, Max was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, which forced him to retire. He entered the Griswold Care Center in Griswold, Iowa on March 17, 2004. Max passed away on January 20, 2009, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, Iowa at the age of 81 years and 19 days. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Ronald Henderson; and his grandson, Edward Koffman.

Max is survived by his wife of 60 years, Melva Henderson of Macedonia; children, Charles Henderson and wife Mary of Macedonia, Donald Henderson of Griswold, IA, Elaine Thompson and husband Dennis of Linn Creek, MO, Maureen Hostetler and husband Dennis of Boone, IA, and Jim Henderson and wife Marylynn of Macedonia; 15 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; brothers, Gerald Henderson of Ekalaka, MT, and Tom Henderson and wife Vicky of Carson, IA; sister-in-law Carol Gravett of Carson, IA; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.

A memorial fund has been established.

Tributes

Darcy(Rollins)Story wrote on Jan 24, 2009:

"Melva & family, I am deeply sorry for your loss, my thoughts & prayers are with you. God bless you all"

Max & Gwen Hossle wrote on Jan 23, 2009:

"Melva & Family, our deepest sympathy."

Deb (Leu) Smith wrote on Jan 22, 2009:

"Melva and family... I just wanted to let all the cousins know that our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with you all. Deb"

Larry and Shawn Holman wrote on Jan 22, 2009:

"Melva and family, May all of your memories of Max comfort you at this difficult time. Carrie has spoken of her Grandpa and has many fond memories of him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family."

DALE AND SUE MCGILL wrote on Jan 22, 2009:

"Dear Melva and family As cousins to Max my familly gives our symathy and prayers to you. Chester Richard Karen Dale"

Patti (Gooden) Honsey wrote on Jan 21, 2009:

"Melva and family, So sorry to hear of your loss. May your memories comfort you at this difficult time. I remember the Iowa reunions when I was little and have talked many times about how fun it would be to do that again. Take care and God Bless you all. Patti"

Shirley, Marlin & Shannon Allen wrote on Jan 21, 2009:

"To Melva, Charles, Donald, Elaine, Maureen, Jim and families: Wow, where does a person start in going back through the years of being neighbors; I remember when you milked cows and you always had homemade cookies, cake, and homemade cottage cheese; Swan's ice cream; the neighborhood cookouts, the campouts when our parents had to check and see why we weren't sleeping; and of course their were some spats along the way. Max took it all in with stride and with a little smirk on his face, but didn't say a word. What great memories to hold on to. May Max be at peace and you can cherish the good times through the difficult days ahead. Hugs to all of you."

Roxann, David & Jessica Strong wrote on Jan 21, 2009:

"Melva and families, We were saddened to hear of Max's passing. Just wanted to let you know, our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow. Take care."

Don & Vickie McDaniel wrote on Jan 20, 2009:

"Melva & family, Don & I wanted to let you know our thoughts and prayers are with you. I can't be there to console you but I will be thinking about all of you in your time of need."

Sharyl Gooden Hawker wrote on Jan 20, 2009:

"I am so sorry to hear of Max's death. I am sure the last few years have been very difficult for all of you. I remember Max as a handsome, vital man who was close to the same age as my parents. I enjoyed the stops we made in SW Iowa which were quite widely spaced throughout my childhood and later life. I will not forget him and I will be thinking of you all even though I have seen you all more and more rarely as the years have passed. Those stops and family reunions etc. are cherished memories. Sharry"

Kay Henderson wrote on Jan 20, 2009:

"Dear Melva and Family, Please know that my thoughts are with you as I reach out with prayers of comfort, wishes for blessings and warm hugs. Love, Kay "

DyAnna & Johnnie wrote on Jan 20, 2009:

"melva my heart aches for you and your family as I have told you before you are very special to me and I will be praying for all of you. Max was a great son and a great husband and dad and he will be missed greatly. Memories are ours to keep and I have many memories back to when you got married and farmed. Hold tight to your memories and keep on keeping on. I will see you sometime soon. love ya DyAnna"

Connie Gustafson Kinser wrote on Jan 20, 2009:

"Dear Melva and family, I was so sorry to read of Max's death. Our deepest sympathy and prayers are with all of you. I so enjoyed our visit at Raenelle's a few years ago. God's Blessings to you. Connie"

Marian Gooden wrote on Jan 20, 2009:

"Melva and family sorry to hear the sad news . my thaughts and prayers are with you i have many happy memories of us being together and the fun times at our reunions i would love to come to the funeral but am leaving for Texas at 7 in the a m . my deepest sympathy goes out to you love and hugs Marian"

Max &Ramona Weeks wrote on Jan 20, 2009:

"Dear Melva and family I know the past few yrs have been difficult.You always had a loving family and will always have those memories...Remember all the jokes and laughs you and my parents Darwin & Maxine Goltry shared...I hope your health is good and can carry on...hope to see you again sometime...Love, Ramona and Max"

Betty Fosness wrote on Jan 20, 2009:

"Melva & family my sympathy goes out to all of you,We have had good times in the past years and memories are what get us thur times like this. Will give you a call tomorrow. You are in my prayers."