Maxine Byrdena Johnson, 94, died Oct. 14, 2017, at the Greene County Hospital, where she enjoyed the wonderful staff.
Maxine was a longtime resident of Rippey.
She was born on a family farm northwest of Rippey in Greene County, Iowa, to Ray Johnson and Mary Ellen Thompson Johnson Sept. 9, 1923.
Maxine graduated from Rippey High School in 1941 and received her teaching degree from the University of Northern Iowa. Later in life she attended Drake University to work on a master’s degree.
She taught kindergarten in Cooper for three years and for 39 years in the Rippey/East Greene schools. Miss Johnson was a dedicated teacher. She enjoyed all of her many students and introduced many interesting activities.
Kindergarten was all day, and after lunch she read to her students. She played piano at home and at school each day, singing songs that her students still recall.
The Easter Bunny would leave baby bunnies and eggs for the children to color every year at the door. Previous to the visit, she wrote each child’s name on the egg with a crayon so it would show up! Each year her students were treated to watching baby chicks hatch.
Maxine enjoyed crafts, quilting, cooking and baking, which she shared with her nieces and nephews. She was a dedicated aunt to them.
Maxine enjoyed being a member of the GAB Club in Rippey, Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority, the East Greene Organization and the Rippey United Methodist Church.
During the summers and at vacation times, she loved to travel the U.S. on bus tours with friends, and she made many new friends.
Maxine enjoyed telling stories and memories from her teaching days. Having served for so many years, she taught several generations, and one year she had six cousins in her class, with she being the seventh and was also an aunt to one.
Maxine’s wishes were that her body would be deeded to the University of Iowa so students could further their education. She also asked that no services would be held. After the study in Iowa City and when her cremains are returned, a private family burial will be at the Rippey Cemetery next to her parents.
Maxine was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Nadine Anderson, and brother-in-law, Walter Anderson; and niece, Deborah Anderson.
Maxine is survived by her sister, LeJane Dillivan, and husband, Maurice, of Jefferson; loving nieces and nephews, Kristine Goodwin and husband, Dr. Courtney, of Minneapolis, Minn., Cynthia Cole and husband, Ronald, of Omaha, Neb., Angela Brown of Ames, Andrea (Don) McFadyen of Ankeny, Brenda (Stan) Kiner of Rippey, Kim (Mary) Dillivan of Powell, Wyo., and Lori (Todd) Minnehan of Scranton; great-nieces and great-nephews, Curtis and Kirsten Goodwin, Julie Madsen and husband, Lars Madsen, Megan Cole, Brett Cole, Aaron Brown, Heather McFadyen, Meredith (Bryan) Emery, Jennifer McFadyen, Jessica Kiner, Ivan Dean Kiner, Emily Kiner, Grant Dillivan, Natalie Dillivan, Heidi Minnehan, Zach Minnehan and Ben Minnehan; great-great-niece and great-great-nephews, Cole Madsen, Elodie Madsen and Miles Emery; other relatives; and many friends.
Maxine devoted her life to her students and family, especially her nieces and nephews, whom she adored, and they loved her.
Hastings Funeral Home in Jefferson was in charge of arrangements.
