Maxine (Max) Mae Stokes, 74, of Clear Lake, Iowa formerly of Dunkerton, Iowa passed away on May 7, 2024 at North Iowa Mercy One Hospital. A Memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 23 at the United Methodist Church in Dunkerton, Iowa in the Fellowship Hall. Visitation will be 9 AM with the service at 10 AM followed by lunch. A private family burial will be held later in the day at Washington Cemetery in Morrison, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to the family to be donated to a local cause in memory of Max.
Maxine Mae (Janssen) Stokes was born September 20, 1949 at Eldora hospital to her parents, Louie and Mable (Harms) Janssen. She attended Wellsburg schools, graduating in 1967 from Reinbeck High school. She graduated from Hawkeye Institute of Technology, in 1968 as a Licensed Practical nurse. She served as a nurse at Schoitz Hospital in Waterloo and ParkView Manor Nursing Home in Reinbeck.
On March 27, 1972, Max married her soulmate, Tim Stokes, in Pennsylvania. They returned to Iowa and made their home near Morrison and Washburn making Dunkerton their final home. Max supported Tim in his trucking and welding business. They enjoyed stock car races, and serving within Pony Express Riders of Iowa, Tim and Max loved spending time with family and friends, especially their nephews, Jeff, Doug, and Steve Sells, and Bill Duesenberg.
Max loved time with her family and friends. She was known to be a great listener and very thoughtful of others. She sent amazing cards to family and friends who cherish the messages she wrote to them. She enjoyed serving in her church as well as cooking and baking for others. Max had many health struggles in life, but always had a positive outlook. In 2016, she broke her hip which caused her to move closer to her sister in Clear Lake leaving behind many friends in Dunkerton.
Max made many new friends at Apple Valley Assisted living in Clear Lake and the IOOF home in Mason City. Max became Gma Max to her great nephews, Henry and Fletcher. They loved having breakfast with her and receiving a special treat bag when they visited Clear Lake.
Max is survived by a sister, Sally (Doug) Duesenberg, nephews, Jeff Sells, Doug (Michelle) Sells, Steve (Barb) Sells and Bill (Andrea) Duesenberg, great niece and nephews, Aunt Johnetta, and many special cousins and friends. While in Dunkerton Max adopted her second family, the Sages whom she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tim, parents, brother, Gerald, mother and father-in-law and sister in law, Sharon.
She is missed by all who loved and knew her. We rejoice that she is in heaven with her Savior, Jesus.
Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 1st Ave North Clear Lake, Iowa 50428 641-357-2193
http://www.colonialchapels.com