"My deepest sympathy for all the family. "
In loving memory of
Maxine G. Reistroffer
December 20, 1918 - December 4, 2020
Our beloved mother, Maxine G. Reistroffer, passed away December 4, 2020, at Crestridge Care Center, Maquoketa, Iowa.
Maxine, the daughter of Ray and Beulah Morehead, was born December 20, 1918, in Crookston, Minnesota. The family later relocated to the Maquoketa area. She graduated from Maquoketa Junior College and taught at a country school near Maquoketa. Maxine married Vincent Roeder July 16, 1941, at the Little Brown Church, Nashua, Iowa. She taught school in Georgia during Vince's WW II service. After the war, she and Vince opened Vince Roeder's Grocery Store in Goose Lake, Iowa, and later farmed west of Maquoketa. Upon Vince's passing in 1960, Maxine moved to Maquoketa and worked at the ASCS office. In 1970, she married Claire Reistroffer and spent many happy years farming near Spragueville, Iowa. After Claire's death in 1985, she moved back to Maquoketa and helped her daughter, Sharon, with her day care. Maxine was known affectionately as "Grandma" to many of the children there.
Maxine was active throughout her life, and she doted on her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed genealogy, gardening, antiquing, going on anthropology digs, tending the Butterfly Sanctuary in Belleview, Iowa, and volunteering for the Jackson County Historical Society. She was also known for composing many "This and That" books. Maxine was especially proud of being able to do a head stand on her 100th birthday in Yoga class. Maxine had a unique quality of listening and made you feel as if you were the most important person in the room. Her positive attitude will always be remembered. We miss her already.
Maxine is survived by her children: Sharon Whitchelo, Maquoketa, Iowa, and Jim Roeder (Linda), Silvis, Illinois; grandchildren: Todd (Melaine) Whitchelo, Davenport, Iowa, Stacie (Jason) Heitland, Garner, Iowa, and Whitney (Nick) Alber, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and great grandchildren: Isaac Mohar, Kelsey Whitchelo, Aaron (Meagen) Whitchelo, Jasie Heitland, Jillian Heitland, Eric Heitland, Jessa Heitland, Addyson Alber, and Brayden Alber; brothers: Paul Morehead, Kenneth (Laurie) Morehead, and Stuart (Lavonne) Morehead; and sister: Shirley Huffman.
She was preceded in death by husbands: Vincent Roeder, Claire Reistroffer; her parents, Ray and Beulah Morehead; brothers: Carrol Morehead, Leonard Morehead, Gordon "Bud" Morehead, Claire Morehead; and sister: Donna Ripple.
There will be a Celebration of Life at a later date. Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com. Memorials may be sent to the Jackson County Historical Society.
Tributes
"Whitney has had some great stories about Maxine that she has shared throughout the years. It sounds like she had an amazing life and has left a great impression on all that she\'s has come in contact with. I\'m very sorry for your loss and my thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of this great woman. "
"I had the pleasure of working with Maxine at First Lutheran, a very nice lady.
I\'m so sorry for your loss, she will be missed by many. Prayers are with you all."
"Maxiene and Donna were more than sisters. Jim Ripple"
"Sharon and family, You have my heartfelt sympathy. What an amazing woman your Mom was. So glad she shared it with so many and she always had a smile for everyone. Know that you are in my prayers and thoughts. May God give you strength during this difficult time!"
"Dear Sharon and family, we were so sorry to hear that Maxine had passed. She was such a wonderful and upbeat lady! Mom and I so enjoyed seeing her do her 100th birthday headstand and my how she giggled in delight when she had. Please accept our heartfelt sympathies."
"Sharon and family - I\'m so sorry to hear of Grandma Maxine\'s passing! She was always such a kind, fun person and I have a lot of fond memories of her from my childhood. My heartfelt condolences to you all. "
"With sincere sympathy to Maxine\'s family."
"Sharon and family-My condolences to you.She was a lovely woman and I remember her well..Always a smile on her face!"
"To Sharon, Jim, and families Denise and I are so sorry to hear of Maxine?s passing. It was always nice to see her at so many Roeder family get togethers. She was a wonderful role model for many. We shall all miss her."
"To Maxine\'s Family, She was one of the sweetest people I\'ve ever met. She came to the bank one day years ago, and I was blessed to help her. I told her she smelled good because she had just put on some lotion. The next time she came in, she brought me a bottle of the exact lotion she had used from Avon. She was just that way. Very giving and reminded me so much of my own grandmother. She was blessed with many years on this Earth because of her spirit. Thoughts and prayers to her family. Sincerely, Tanya Roeder"
"Sharon and family, What an inspiration Maxine was! Valerie and I remember many a visit where she would be so proud of doing Yoga. And we continually encouraged her to continue as it kept her moving and enjoying life. Obviously, it did her well into her later years. We will continue to keep you and her in our thoughts and prayers. God bless."
"To Sharon and Jim and their families, As you know, your mother was such a wonderful person. Always interested and interesting. She was someone who gave of herself before that was a thing. I loved your Mom. She was always doing something and interested in learning something new. She was a joy to be around and I am thrilled she was part of my life. May her many memories lift y\'all up. Tidge"
"So sorry Sharon, Jim and families. Enjoyed our times together in these later years. Wii always remember the van trips. Wish there could have been more of those times but thankful for the times we did have. "
"So sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. She was a lovely lady. Great memories from Buckhorn days!"
"My aunt Maxine, what a beautiful person inside and out. One of my fondest memories was going to her house for Christmas as a child and she had decorated sugar cookies, they were very detailed cookies of santa. They were so pretty, I just wanted to keep looking at! She will be missed."
"Sharon - so sorry to get this news. I always enjoyed working with your mom at the Historical Society. She lived an amazing life and was a super nice lady. My thoughts and prayers are with you."
"Sharon, Sending my sympathy. What an amazing life she lead. So wonderful that you had her with you for so many years. Blessings."
"Sharon, Jim and family! Your momma was such an amazing woman and a true inspiration to all ! She touched so many lives. I know that she touched mine! Please know that you are all in our prayers. "
"Sharon, Take comfort that your mother lived a long life and lived it well. She was our dear neighbor on Vermont St. and her friendship and loving support to all of us meant so much. May she rest in peace as God was ready for her."