Maxine E. Fletcher

FUNERAL SERVICES : 11:00 A.M. Monday, Nobember 16, 2009 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids.VISITATION : 4-7 P.M. Sunday, November 15, 2009 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids.INTERMENT : Greenwood Cemetery, Park Rapids, MNSURVIVORS : She will be lovingly remembered by her two daughters: Debbie (Ed) Fisher of Clemmons, NC and Deanna (Ken) Fields of Greensboro, NC; her four beloved grandchildren: Elizabeth Fields, Kenny Fields, Drew Fisher and Keegan Fisher; four sisters: Margaret Reimer of Brandon, FL, Lorna (Rodney) Peterson of Foley, Alabama, Esther (William) Peabody of Alexandria, MN and Dorothy Peabody of Minneapolis, MN; l brother, Russell Pape of McMinnville, OR; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. MAXINE ELIZABETH FLETCHER April 6, 1936 " November 12, 2009 Maxine Elizabeth Fletcher, age 73, formerly a long time Park Rapids, MN area resident, was peacefully promoted into Glory at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice in Winston-Salem, North Carolina with her loved ones at her side. Maxine was born on April 6, 1936 in Park Rapids to Carl and Mabel (James) Pape. It was in the Park Rapids area that she attended the Potter Country School through the eighth grade and grew into early womanhood. She was very involved in the 4-H youth program and also the Pioneer Girls Christian training program. Maxine attended high school in Park Rapids from where she graduated with honors in 1954. After high school, Maxine ventured to Chicago, Ill where she attended the Moody Bible College. In 1956, she returned to Minnesota where she gained employment working as a secretary for the Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in Minneapolis. On September 20, 1958, Maxine was united in marriage to Delmar Fletcher at the First Baptist Church in Park Rapids. This union was blessed with two daughters: Debbie and Deanna. The young couple made their first home in South Dakota where Delmar was stationed at the Ellsworth Air Force Base. Maxine devoted her life to making a warm and loving home for her husband and children. She was a wonderful cook and baker who will be long remembered for her delicious home made cookies and chocolate puddings. Maxine was an accomplished seamstress who loved to sew matching dresses for her two little girls. In 1980, she embarked on a new career working as a librarian for the public libraries in both Hammond and Atwood, IL. She enjoyed the gift that reading gave to the many folks who visited the libraries on a regular basis. She retired from this professional endeavor in 1985. In her spare time, Maxine enjoyed doing beautiful needlepoint work and also enjoyed making ceramic crafts. For a number of years, Maxine did genealogy work on both sides of her family where she traced her family ancestry back hundreds of years. Her Faith in Jesus was a very important part of her life. She was a long time member of the Faith Baptist Church in Park Rapids, MN. Above all, Maxine dedicated her life to her husband, Delmar, her two daughters and her grandchildren who she loved with all her heart. She will be lovingly remembered by her two daughters: Debbie (Ed) Fisher of Clemmons, NC and Deanna (Ken) Fields of Greensboro, NC; her four beloved grandchildren: Elizabeth Fields, Kenny Fields, Drew Fisher and Keegan Fisher; four sisters: Margaret Reimer of Brandon, FL, Lorna (Rodney) Peterson of Foley, Alabama, Esther (William) Peabody of Alexandria, MN and Dorothy Peabody of Minneapolis, MN; l brother, Russell Pape of McMinnville, OR; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Maxine was preceded in death by her beloved Delmar in 2004; a son, Jeffrey in infancy; her parents and her brother, Jimmy. Funeral services were held 11 AM Monday, November 16, 2009 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids with Maxine"s long time friend, Jean Ballard officiating. Russell Carter will sing, "In The Garden" and "How Great Thou Art". The organist will be Jane Wolff. Interment will be made in the Greenwood Cemetery next to her husband, Delmar. Her casket bearers will be: Dave Wilkins, Dale Wilkins, Mike Fletcher, Andrew Peabody, Lyle Peabody and Scott Persons. Visitation was held from 4 to 7 PM on Sunday, November 15, 2009 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home. A luncheon was hosted by the Faith Baptist Church in Park Rapids for all to attend.