Maxine Hunter

Maxine Hunter arrived in this world as many born in her day, in the comforts of her parents’ home on Oct. 14, 1924. Baptized as Hettie Maxine Burke and nicknamed as Tess during her basketball years.

Max grew up on a fertile farm near Jamaica. Surrounded by ancestors over two counties, she enjoyed being the youngest of six children. She loved her pets: a donkey, ponies, more than a few dogs and too many cats to count on the dairy farm. Another farm staple, chickens, were not her favorites and gathering eggs was her loathsome task! 

Going to school in Jamaica found her in a system where her young classmates in first grade she later graduated with in her senior class of 17 in 1940. 

Max loved school. Memorizing poetry and even algorithms in long division created a later love for saxophone, literature, debate and drama. Her extracurricular activities were many but her favorite was basketball. “Going to state” was a highlight echoed by the rural community. Their general store owner created nicknames for each player and praised their efforts in a locally published poem!

Upon graduation, Maxine followed her older brother and sister to AIB, the well-known American School of Business in Des Moines. The 17-acre campus was a leading baccalaureate college of business. Maxine left just before graduation, landing a job as a private secretary during World War II. She excelled at using new technology of the day, the dictaphone.

Maxine rediscovered a friendship with a member of her senior class, Joe Hunter. Group dates turned into a serious relationship and upon Joe’s return from boot camp, the two were married secretly as her own mother expected all her children to return home and support the Burke Farm. Only her sister and friends were in attendance in August of 1944.

Upon Joe’s discharge from the Army, Max and Joe moved to Texas and on to Seattle where Joe enrolled at the University of Washington. Living in Seattle was a harsh new reality, the GI Bill, Pacific Northwest climate, seasoned and unseasoned wood required for their wood stove and earthquakes.

Denver beckoned, where Max’s brother and sister lived. Roger was born, a gifted and beautiful child who excelled at nearly everything. Later Rog served with honors in the U.S. Army in Stuttgart, Germany. After retirement, he attended Stuttgart University taking classes taught in German. He is survived by his wife, Dixie; children Jennie, Carrie, Matt; and grandchildren Hunter, Faith and Kennan.

Their second son, Joe, was also born in Denver. A very curious boy and peacemaker, Joe grew to love all machines requiring speed. Go-karts, motorcycles, car racing and competitive downhill skiing were his passions. Joe followed his dad into the Army and into the Signal Corps. Joe later utilized these skills, joined “Ma Bell” and completed his career as an engineer. Joe and his wife, Dena, have two children: Brandie (Ivan) and Christopher John.

Kathleen was born in Des Moines. She brought infectious energy to the family. After graduation, Kathy initially worked with Ma Bell and moved to the East Coast with a startup telecommunications company. Never losing her love of gymnastics, Kathy taught floor ex and balance beam while still living in Des Moines. She had two boys: Travis (Ashley) and their children Kelsey, Sky, Bridget and Gavin; and Brett (Ashley) and their infant daughter, Ember.

Ramona, also born in Des Moines, moved with the family to Council Bluffs. Known for her strong will matching that of her father’s, she was the first of the four girls to finish college. Ramona taught school in Australia and Alaska, later settling in Oregon with her husband Brad. They have two children, Sarah and Saybah, and one grandchild, Zaria.

In 1954, Melonie arrived. A bright and beautiful child, Mel later excelled in voice and drama. Mel graduated from Wartburg College and earned her MSW from Madison. She enjoyed a career as a social worker while raising her children Peter (Holly) and Sylvia.

The family grew to six with Maureen, a curious child, who later dedicated herself to her career as a medical technologist and her children Nathan (Lora), grandchildren Meelah and Jordan; daughter Carly (Derek) and baby Isla. With husband Paul, Maureen welcomed Renee (Eric), Carter and Ruby Jean; Brianna (Rio) and Alayna (Derek), Emmett and Arlo into her life.

Scott, born in 1960, has always loved music. Following in the footsteps of Rog, Joe and Melonie, he played guitar and harmonica as did his dad. After high school he attended graphic art school and later started his business, Hunter Green Lawn Services. Scott and wife Eileen are devoted to their three part-Bernese dogs.

Shelly Kay, born on Feb. 14, 1963, watched her seven brothers and sisters live their adventurous lives. Not one to be left behind and after graduation, Shelly moved to Alaska. There she received her BS in biology. She had many work-related adventures in Denali and in the waters off Kodiak Island. Shelly left Alaska to become a cytologist. Next she attended the honors nursing program at Creighton. Shelly dedicated the last 10 years of her life living with our beloved mother, navigating her way through the Medicare process.

Maxine and Joe raised eight children.

Max knew instinctively how to nurture each one of us, making us individually feel as if we were only children. She relied on her wishbone, backbone and her funny bone over her years of child raising. Teaching Sunday school, endless bake sales, PTA meetings, attending every event whether it be drama, music or athletic events, Momma Max did it with determination and a smile. 

After a long, successful career in motherhood, Maxine returned to work for 10 years using her earlier schooling. By the late 1980s, Maxine was ready to retire. Finally she could devote herself to her grandchildren, reading and baking. Or so she hoped. 

After surviving colon cancer and two knee replacements, she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Max had a powerful love of life and desire to live. She defied the odds and amazed the specialists. All her children have benefitted by her example as a quiet, calm force. 

Maxine had a life well lived. Her legacy of hope, strength and grace will always be remembered.