Maxine G. Reistroffer (1918-2020)

REISTROFFER, MOREHEAD, ROEDER

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 5/23/2021 at 17:43:29

Our beloved mother, Maxine G. Reistroffer, passed away December 4, 2020, at Crestridge Care Center, Maquoketa, Iowa.

Maxine, the daughter of Ray and Beulah Morehead, was born December 20, 1918, in Crookston, Minnesota. The family later relocated to the Maquoketa area. She graduated from Maquoketa Junior College and taught at a country school near Maquoketa. Maxine married Vincent Roeder July 16, 1941, at the Little Brown Church, Nashua, Iowa. She taught school in Georgia during Vince's WW II service. After the war, she and Vince opened Vince Roeder's Grocery Store in Goose Lake, Iowa, and later farmed west of Maquoketa. Upon Vince's passing in 1960, Maxine moved to Maquoketa and worked at the ASCS office. In 1970, she married Claire Reistroffer and spent many happy years farming near Spragueville, Iowa. After Claire's death in 1985, she moved back to Maquoketa and helped her daughter, Sharon, with her day care. Maxine was known affectionately as "Grandma" to many of the children there.

Maxine was active throughout her life, and she doted on her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed genealogy, gardening, antiquing, going on anthropology digs, tending the Butterfly Sanctuary in Belleview, Iowa, and volunteering for the Jackson County Historical Society. She was also known for composing many "This and That" books. Maxine was especially proud of being able to do a head stand on her 100th birthday in Yoga class. Maxine had a unique quality of listening and made you feel as if you were the most important person in the room. Her positive attitude will always be remembered. We miss her already.

Maxine is survived by her children: Sharon Whitchelo, Maquoketa, Iowa, and Jim Roeder (Linda), Silvis, Illinois; grandchildren: Todd (Melaine) Whitchelo, Davenport, Iowa, Stacie (Jason) Heitland, Garner, Iowa, and Whitney (Nick) Alber, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and great grandchildren: Isaac Mohar, Kelsey Whitchelo, Aaron (Meagen) Whitchelo, Jasie Heitland, Jillian Heitland, Eric Heitland, Jessa Heitland, Addyson Alber, and Brayden Alber; brothers: Paul Morehead, Kenneth (Laurie) Morehead, and Stuart (Lavonne) Morehead; and sister: Shirley Huffman.

She was preceded in death by husbands: Vincent Roeder, Claire Reistroffer; her parents, Ray and Beulah Morehead; brothers: Carrol Morehead, Leonard Morehead, Gordon "Bud" Morehead, Claire Morehead; and sister: Donna Ripple.

There will be a Celebration of Life at a later date. Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com. Memorials may be sent to the Jackson County Historical Society.
Read less