Maxine May (Bertram) Larsen went peacefully to be with her Lord on Dec. 17. She was a resident of The Independence House at Coddington in Lincoln, Neb., but was doing rehab for hip surgery at Eastmont Towers in Lincoln.
Maxine was the 9th child of the fourteen born to Frank and Bertha (Mavis) Bertram of Colome, SD. She spent a busy, but loving, time growing up on the farm south of Colome and graduated from Colome High School in May of 1949.
Maxine married the love of her life, Marlan Larsen, the next month and began the life of a farmer’s wife in a 40 foot mobile home southeast of Colome. Three sons were born to that union.
Life on the farm involved helping take care of the livestock, raising chickens, homemaking and an occasional hunting trip. She became an excellent cook and even found tasty recipes for the wild game Marlan brought home. After her three sons started school Maxine looked to supplement the family income by working outside the home.
She had a part-time job at Newlon’s General Store in Colome then went on the road selling Avon products. After a few years with Avon she applied for a job at First Fidelity Bank in Colome. Maxine kept that job for nearly 30 years retiring in 1993.
Maxine was active in the Zion Lutheran Church and the Colome Legion Auxiliary. She served as president of the auxiliary for a term and for years was the person responsible for setting up the kitchen, salad bar and tables for the weekly “Steak Night” meals at the Legion Club. Her bread pudding was a favorite with many of the regular diners.
Volunteering to help others was a big part of her retirement life. She was friends with several ladies in town and liked to go with them to the casino or out to eat. She was selected as a KELO Tradition of Caring award winner for her volunteer work in 2004.
After moving from their acreage west of Colome Maxine was a resident of Golden Prairie Manor until she moved to The Independence House in Lincoln to be with her sister, Joyce. Maxine developed dementia but spent several years there enjoying the companionship of the residents and staff. She fell at the facility and required surgery on Dec. 1. Her age, dementia and the stress of the surgery took its toll and she passed away in her sleep on Dec. 17.
Those honored to have been part of her life are her sons: David (Christi) Larsen of Alcester, SD; Wayne (Margaret) Larsen of Tea, SD; Dale (Sarah) Larsen of Omaha, NE. Grandchildren include: Brian (Nicole) Larsen of Brandon, SD; Amy (Sam) Brown of Reno, NV; Amanda (Chris) Bahrij of Minot, ND; Matthew (Jessica) Larsen of Sioux Falls; Beth Larsen of Chula Vista, CA; and Hannah Larsen of Pittsburg, PA. There are 13 great-grand children.
Maxine is also survived by her brother Larry (Sherry) Bertram of Colome, SD; brother-in-law Jack Clark of Gregory, SD; sister-in-law Faye Bertram of Winner, SD; sister-in-law Marcia Bertram of Colome, over 50 nieces and nephews and the rest of the extended Bertram family.
Preceding her in death were her husband Marlan in 2010, her parents Frank and Bertha Bertram, and twelve brothers and sisters. A private funeral service was held on Monday, Dec. 21. Family and friends can attend the interment service at Colome Cemetery at 2:30 pm. The service will be available on Zoom and a link will be sent on the Bertram Facebook page. Greetings can be sent to the family at: P. O. Box 353, Alcester, SD 57001.
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