Martha M. Maxwell
Martha M. Maxwell, 87, passed
away Saturday (May 31, 2008) at Asbury Park Greenhouses in Newton. She was born
Feb. 19, 1921, in Newton to Ernest and Rozena (Beucker) Brodhagen. They
preceded her in death. She attended Newton schools and graduated from Newton
High School in 1938. On Oct. 22, 1943, Martha married John L. Maxwell in
Norfolk, Va., where John was serving in the U.S. Navy. John survives of the
home. Following the war, they moved to Franklin Park, Ill., for several years
before returning to Newton.
Martha worked as a bookkeeper
with Maxwell Flowers for several years and then co-managed Maxwell Greenhouse
with her husband for nearly 35 years.
She was a longtime active
member of Zion Lutheran Church in Newton. She especially enjoyed quilting at
the church the last several years.
Martha greatly enjoyed
spending time with her many friends and especially looked forward to spending
time with her loving family, grandchildren and nieces and nephews, all of whom
were an important part of her life.
Other survivors include
daughter, Sharon and Keith Behnke of Manhattan; sons, Richard and Alicia
Maxwell of Newton and Tom and Janet Maxwell of Muskogee, Okla.; brother, Carl
and Barbara Brodhagen of Santa Rosa, Calif.; nine grandchildren; and four
great-grandchildren.
She also was preceded in
death by a brother, Walter Brodhagen, and two sisters, Ruth Brodhagen and Helen
Ruff.
Visitation will be from 1 to
9 p.m. today at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton, with family receiving friends
from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Funeral service will be at 10
a.m. Tuesday at Zion Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Dean Von Stroh of the
church officiating.
Burial will be at Greenwood
Cemetery in Newton.
Memorial contributions may be
made to Zion Lutheran Church in care of the funeral home.
