Maxine Halverson

Maxine Halverson, 92, of Marshalltown, longtime school teacher, passed away on the night of Monday, January 15th, at the Unity Point Health Marshalltown.Her family will honor her in a private family memorial service. She will be laid to rest beside her husband in the Riverside Cemetery. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com . The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Maxine and her family. Ph. 641-844-1234.Maxine Laurine Handorf Halverson was born at home on the family farm in Garwin, Iowa, on May 9, 1925.  Maxine was the fourth of five daughters born to John and Bertha (Poduska) Handorf.  She attended Burt Country School and passed the eighth grade exam, qualifying her to attend and graduate from Melbourne High School in 1942.She attended the Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls that fall.  When an opening for a teacher occurred at the Bratt Country School in Gladbrook, Maxine took the teaching certificate exam at the Court House in Toledo and taught 13 students.  She continued her education during the summers in Cedar Falls.  After three years, she received an emergency war certificate to teach third grade in Albion, Iowa.Maxine enjoyed dancing, and it was at the Forest Park Ballroom in Marshalltown where she met Myron Harold (Diamond) Halverson of Laurel, Iowa.  They married on August 11, 1946, and moved to their home in Marshalltown where Maxine resided more than seventy years.  Maxine stayed home with their three daughters, Valerie Sue (David) Pace, Vari Lyn Nelson and Vana Kay Halverson, for ten years before returning to teaching.  She began at State Center and then in Marshalltown, where she taught until her retirement in 1987, serving more than thirty-two years in Iowa public schools.   She completed her Baccalaureate Degree from Drake University in 1966.Maxine valued family, friends and former students.  She was known for her beautiful penmanship and hand-written notes and letters (no text or emails) filled with confetti.  She custom designed and embroidered tea towels that are cherished by all who received them.  Maxine attended nearly all the Poduska and Handorf family reunions over their eighty year history.   She documented her travels to six continents through journals and scrapbooks, which she loved to share.  Maxine was preceded in death by her parents, husband and three sisters, Wilma (Harold) Beichley, Arlene (Harold) Bohnsack and Esther (Russell) Nelson.  She is survived by her three daughters and sister, Marilyn (Burton) Butler, four grandchildren, Austin, Severen, Afton and Stefi, seven great-grandchildren and wonderful nieces and nephews.  Her daughters wish to specially recognize the steadfast support given Maxine by her niece, Brenda, Jim and Troy Walkup and her neighbors, Connie and Lynn Jensen.Family services will be held at a later date.  Memorial contributions may be directed to the Iowa River Hospice or an organization of choice.