Obituary of Maxine States

Maxine States, 80, of Aurora, Colorado was born on January 20, 1931, on the family farm near Lyle, Minnesota, youngest of four children of Alfred and Gertie Nelson. She is survived by Jerry, her husband of 37 years; son Steve (Kay) Johnson of Council Bluffs, Iowa, grandchildren Shanna (Greg) Baker, Kelly (Jason) Burhenne, Michael Johnson, and Matthew Johnson, and great-grandchildren Kaycee and Haley Baker, Jadie and Carson Burhenne; daughter Sally Hughes of Aurora, Colorado, grandchildren Mindy Midcap and Katrina (Mikael) Roth, and great-grandchild Elise Midcap; daughter Mary (Donald) Harbert of Victor, Montana, grandchildren Michelle (Robb) Rivera, and Zack Gupton, and great-grandchildren Cameron Rivera, Haden and Xander Gupton; sister LaVine (Lloyd) Nelson of Owatonna, Minnesota; brother Shirll (Marilyn) Nelson of Lyle, Minnesota. She is predeceased by her mother and father and her brother Morris Nelson and sister-in-law Lucille Nelson. Maxine graduated from Lyle High School, where she was a cheer leader. She was an active participant in 4-H, loved singing with her sister LaVine (they even cut records together), played the piano... and could she ever Yodel! She met her first husband, Clair Johnson, while attending Lyle High School. They were married in 1949 and started their family. She raised her three children in Denver, Colorado, and met Jerry after the kids were grown and on their own. Maxine and Jerry opened a printing business and with long hours and dedication grew it into one of the most successful printing businesses in the area. They sold the business after 16 years, and in 1999 decided to make their home in Goodyear, Arizona. In 2005 Maxine suffered a stroke, and when other family health issues presented, Maxine and Jerry returned to Colorado permanently in 2008 where they made their home in Aurora, and where she passed away from dementia on January 4, 2012, with her family by her side. A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, January 10, 2012, 2 PM at Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 E. Alameda Ave., Denver, CO 80246. Service Information