Maxine Bechtum, 93

Aug. 31, 1926 —

Aug. 23, 2020

 

RICEVILLE - Maxine Bechtum, age 93, spent her last hours with her family at a care facility in Lakeville, Minn.

A service will be held at a later date.

Maxine was born on a farm near Bristol, Minn. to May Glazier Perry and Harry Perry. She joined an older sister, Evelyn, and preceded a brother, Eugene. She attended country school until eighth grade, when her mother insisted the family move closer to Cresco, so the children could attend high school. She had many adventures with her best high school friends, her dad’s horses and her Grandmother Glazier.

Upon graduation, Maxine took Normal Training and taught in a rural Howard County school for two years. She then worked at the Howard County School Superintendent’s office.

She met the love of her life, Kenneth, and they married on Dec. 8, 1948. They farmed in the Mossville area, near Riceville. Through hard work and dedication, they achieved their goal of purchasing their own farm. David and Judy were born and raised in the modest and practical ways. Maxine believed in education and encouraged her children in their college aspirations. She gracefully and efficiently managed her homemaker duties with her farm work.

Maxine was a member of the Saint Peters Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Ladies’ Aid, and she taught Sunday School. She enjoyed the U-Go-I-Go club in the 1950s and hosted many 4-H events. She loved to bake, cats, flowers and Angus cattle. She kept a large garden and home-canned every summer. Reading was Maxine’s favorite pastime since her early life.

She had a long and fruitful life with 70 years on the farm. She appreciated her friends and neighbors of the Mossville and Riceville areas.

Maxine is survived by her daughter, Judy; daughter-in-law, Marlis Bechtum; grandchildren, Elizabeth, Allison and Ted; and three great grandchildren, Benjamin and Adalynn (Alyson Spitz Bechtum) and Nolan (Brandon Borts).