Irene Maxwell

Irene L. Maxwell, 93, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, November 6, 2007, at the Atlantic Nursing and Rehab Center.

Irene Laura Maxwell was born January 20, 1914, in Audubon Township, Audubon County, Iowa, to John H. and Frieda (Damman) Petri. She was baptized on March 15, 1914, and confirmed April 1, 1928, at St. John's Lutheran Church northwest of Adair, Iowa. She attended school and received her GED at the first opportunity it was offered in Atlantic.

Irene married W. Merle Maxwell on March 29, 1936, at St. John's Lutheran Church northwest of Adair. They farmed north of Adair until 1947, when they moved to Casey, Iowa. In 1951, they returned to their farm in Audubon Township. In 1962, they moved to Atlantic and Merle began working for Atlantic Municipal Utilities.

She was a long time member of Zion Lutheran Church where she was also a member of the Lady's Aide and the LWML. She belonged to a neighborhood club and was active in the county extension programs.

Irene was a wonderful cook and the aroma of homemade bread frequently filled her home. She enjoyed cooking and gardening, and read extensively. She instilled respect, responsibility and resourcefulness in her children. She saw each person's potential. She was the heart of the family.

Surviving Irene are her children, Marjorie Stonebraker and her husband, Leo of Excelsior Springs, MO, Joanne Stetzel and her husband, Clark of South Amana, IA, Stephen Maxwell and his wife, Mary of Atlantic, IA and Marilyn Dyrland and her husband, Doug of Cedar Rapids, IA; a brother, Clarence Petri of Stuart, IA; 12 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; 14 great-great grandchildren; 4 brothers-in-law, Keith, Cal, Monte and Roy Maxwell; 2 sisters-in-law, Neva Heckman and Edythe Davis; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Merle; 2 sisters, Edith Tibben and Florence Petri; 4 grandsons and 2 great-grandsons.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 10, 2007, at Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa, with Reverend Ken Davidson officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, east of Exira, Iowa, at 2:00 p.m. The family extends an invitation to join them for lunch and sharing memories between the funeral and the committal services.

Open visitation will begin at noon, Friday, Nov. 9, with family present from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic.

Memorials may be given to Zion Lutheran Church or to an organization of your choice in Irene's memory.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.