Florence “Flossie” Maxwell

Florence "Flossie" Maxwell

December 16, 1925 – April 10, 2011
North Oaks, Minnesota and formerly of Grinnell

Visitation: two hours prior to the service on Thursday. April 14, 2011 at United Church of Christ-Congregational in Grinnell, Iowa
Funeral Service: 12 noon on Thursday April 14, 2011 at United Church of Christ-Congregational in Grinnell, Iowa
Interment: following the funeral service. April 14, 2011 at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell, Iowa

Florence was the daughter of Fred and Josephine Jones, was born December 16, 1925. She was raised in Tama and later moved to Grinnell with her parents, where she graduated with the Class of 1944 from Grinnell High School. She was a talented pianist and accompanied all the choral groups at Grinnell High School, while she was a student there. Following high school, she attended Lindenwood Women’s College in St. Charles, Missouri for two years. She then transferred to Drake University in Des Moines where she earned her BA in Elementary Education. While a Drake student, Florence pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, was a Drake Queen and met her future husband, James Maxwell, who was also a Drake graduate.

Florence and James were married on November 25, 1950. During their 60 years of marriage they lived in a variety of wonderful communities which included Park Ridge, IL, Ridgewood, New Jersey, Barrington, IL, North Oaks, MN, Hilton Head, SC, and Grinnell, IA . Florence was quick to acclimate to new surroundings and became an integral part of every community she entered. Florence taught kindergarten in her early married years. After the birth of her daughters, Karen and Cathy, Florence became the quintessential hostess, community volunteer and super Mom, who handled everything with grace and enthusiasm. One of her special interests was her membership in PEO, which started with her initiation into Chapter BM in Grinnell, IA in 1947. She was active in helping to organize and was a charter member of PEO Chapter V in Hilton Head Island SC. Florence’s many PEO friends were an important part of her life. She enjoyed being a member of church choirs at both House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St Paul MN and First Presbyterian Church in Hilton Head Island SC.

Florence and James moved back to Grinnell after twenty years in Hilton Head, in order to be closer to their daughters and grandchildren in the Midwest. She had a wonderful spirit and became involved in local bridge clubs, as well as Levart Club and Pi Rho Lamda.

Florence is survived by her loving husband, James; her daughters, Karen Terpstra of Eau Claire, WI and Cathy (Mike) Bratek of Apple Valley, MN; four grandchildren, Scott (Ashley), Jennifer, Stephanie (Bryan) and Rachel; one sister, Esther (Charles) Bethel of Grinnell; and one brother, Addison (Marion) Jones of Grinnell; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Memorials may be directed to the Mayo Clinic and sent in care of the Smith Funeral Home, P.O. Box 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112.

Source: Smith Funeral Home