Maxine Marie Cross

Maxine Marie Cross was born September 16, 1919 in rural Dow City, Iowa, the daughter of Ernest and Lena (Birkhofer) Clark. As a baby, she was baptized in the United Methodist Church in Dow City and joined the church at the age of 8; becoming a longtime member. While growing up, she assisted her father with the grain farming and livestock raising. She picked corn by hand with a team and wagon. She attended the Dow City Consolidated School and graduated with the Class of 1936 as the Valedictorian. During WWII, Maxine worked in an ammunition plant in Des Moines.

On February 17, 1946, Maxine was united in marriage to William John Cross at the First United Methodist Church in Dow City. The couple lived on farms near Vail and Deloit. They were blessed with three sons: David, Dwayne, and Ronald. In 1952, they purchased a farm 3 miles west of Dow City where they lived for 30 years while raising their sons. Maxine was a busy wife and mother. She worked at the Denison Grocery Store where she enjoyed making ice cream. She did a lot of baking and canning. She enjoyed the activities at the First United Methodist Church, the school, and American Legion Auxiliary where she was chaplain for many years. Maxine also enjoyed writing letters and composing poetry. She was a newspaper correspondent for the Dow City Herald and Denison Newspapers.

In 1982, Maxine and Bill sold the farm and moved to North Howard Street in Dow City where they retired. The couple traveled in their motor home, taking trips to visit their sons and family, and other relatives. Also, they traveled to many fairs, Covered Bridge Festivals, and Tulip Festivals. Maxine cherished her family, friends, and neighbors.

On Sunday, March 13, 2022, Maxine passed away peacefully at the Dunlap Specialty Care in Dunlap, attaining the age of one hundred and two years, five months, and twenty-five days. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, William in 2000; grandson, Greg Cross; and infant granddaughter, Anne Marie Cross.

Left to cherish her memory are her sons: David Cross and his wife Debbie of Gilman City, Missouri, Dwayne Cross and his wife Cathy of Denver, Missouri, and Ronald Cross and his wife Paula of Denison; granddaughter, Diana and her husband Donald Auffert; grandsons: Paul Cross and his wife Mel, James Cross and his wife Courtney, Troy Cross, and Jesse Cross and his fiancé Alicia; step- grandson, John Runde and his wife Lauren; great-grandchildren: Dakota Cross, Sawyer Cross, Sierra Cross, Brayton Cross, Avery Cross, and Aleigha Cross; step-great-grandsons: Wade and Weston Runde; sister, Pauline Gordon of Storm Lake; other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services were held 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at First United Methodist Church in Dow City, Iowa. Rev. Aaron Terwilleger officiated the service with interment in the Dow City Cemetery. Organist Deb Garrett provided accompaniment for soloist Beth Vogt who sang, "Amazing Grace," "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" and "How Great Thou Art." Serving as honorary pallbearers were Don & Diana Auffert, Sierra Cross, Avery Cross and Aleigha Cross. Serving as pallbearers were Jesse Cross, Troy Cross, James Cross, Dakota Cross, Brayton Cross, Sawyer Cross and Paul Cross. Following the burial, the family invited everyone to the Brasel Building for a time of fellowship and lunch. The Huebner Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.