Maxine LaMae Johnson

Maxine Stevens Johnson, 85, Appleton

Maxine Stevens Johnson, 85, of Appleton died on January 31, 2007, at the Rennes Health Center. The daughter of Arthur and Eugenia Stevens, she was born on May 13, 1921, in Mason City, Iowa.

She grew up in Becker, Minnesota, where she met her future husband, Archie, at Becker High School. Maxine graduated with distinction from the University of Minnesota, earning a degree in Home Economics, and then taught at Mora, Minn. Maxine and Archie married on June 10, 1945, while Archie was with the US 15th Army Air Corps. They lived in Arizona and Minnesota before settling in Appleton in 1947, where Maxine taught at Wilson Junior High School. They later lived for several years in Atlanta, Georgia, returning to Appleton in 1986.

In addition to her dedication to her family, Maxine loved music, nature, golf and dancing. She played the violin into her 80s and was a long-time supporter of the Fox Valley Symphony. As a guide at the Mosquito Hill Nature Center, she was thrilled to teach children about the wonders of nature. She was a long-time member of American University Women and the Appleton Women’s Club. Maxine golfed in women’s and couple’s leagues, and enjoyed dancing (mostly with Archie!) as a member of the Town and Menasha Club.

Maxine is survived by her loving and devoted husband of more than 61 years; two sons, Kent (wife, Cheryl) of Fort Atkinson, Wis., and Richard (wife, Maryanne) of Houston, Texas; one daughter, Barbara Johnson-Browne (husband, Peter) of Little Faringdon, Oxfordshire, England; eight grandchildren, Tobias, Heidi, Gordon, Bradford, Matthew and Rachel Johnson, and Elizabeth and Wendy Browne; and one great-grandchild, Caleb Johnson. She is also survived by her cousin Dennis Grover of Fobbing, Essex, England, who she met for the first time in 2003 during a family reunion arranged by her second cousin, Larry Stevens of Muskego, Wis. She was preceded in death by her sister, Bonnie Glotter of Minnetonka, Minn., and her parents.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the caring staff of Rennes Health Center.

In memory of Maxine, donations may be sent to: the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (www.alzfdn.org); Mosquito Hill Nature Center, New London, Wis. (920-779-6433); Women’s Fund of the Appleton Community Foundation; or Fox Valley Symphony.
Visitation will be held Monday, February 5th, 2007, from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m., at the Wichmann Funeral Home. The funeral will take place Tuesday, February 6th, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 325 East Franklin, Appleton.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 N. Superior St
Appleton 739-1231
www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com.