Ruth Novinger Maxwell

NOVINGER, MAXWELL

Posted By: Marthann (email)
Date: 6/22/2007 at 09:08:13

Maxwell, Ruth (Novinger)
March 17, 1916 - June 7, 2007
Denison Bulletin/Review
6/14/2007

Ruth Maxwell was born at Weston, Missouri, March 17, 1916, the only child of Clifford Carl and Callie Leona Mulkey Novinger. The family soon moved to New Market, Iowa, before settling at Shenandoah, Iowa, where Ruth was graduated from high school.

Ruth was united in marriage with Harry W. Maxwell and they moved to Denison, Iowa, in 1948 where they owned and operated Maxwell Funeral Home until retiring in 1978.

In addition to assisting at the funeral home, Ruth and her business partner, Kay Manchester, owned and operated Alley Antiques for a period of five years.

The Maxwell's were active supporters of the Denison community where Ruth was instrumental in the organization of T.A.P. and was responsible for getting Girl Scouts started in Denison.

In earlier years she was active in Rainbow and enjoyed her memberships in Questers and Friday Club. During their years at the funeral home they were active in the Red Cross and, as a consummate hostess, Ruth and Harry hosted numerous dinners and parties for new Denison residents. She was a long time member of the United Presbyterian Church in Denison and active in the United Presbyterian Women. They were members of the Denison Country Club where Ruth enjoyed going to their dances and where most Thursdays would find her enjoying her passion of playing bridge.

Of all of Ruth's interests in life the most important was caring for her family, husband, Harry, daughter Sandra and her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Surrounded by her loving family, Ruth died Thursday afternoon, June 7, 2007, at the Denison Care Center, Denison, Iowa. At the time of her death she had been blessed with 91 years, 2 months and 20 days.

Including her parents, Clifford and Callie Novinger, Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Harry W. Maxwell, January 10, 1988.

Family members remaining to cherish her memory include one daughter, Sandra and husband, Dr. David Stamp of Denison, five grandchildren, Elizabeth Stamp of Altoona, Iowa, Mark Stamp and wife, Heather of Miami, Florida, Matthew Stamp and wife, Kimberly of Chicago, Illinois, Sarah and husband, David Wiebers of Denison and Rebekah Stamp and husband, Peter Frederick of Hamilton, Montana, 9 great grandchildren, Nathan, Maxwell, Harley, Evan, Charlie, Lukas, Katie, Andrew and Jacob, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 11, 2007, at the United Presbyterian Church in Denison, Iowa, with the Rev. Brian K. Rihner officiating with Dale Judson serving as Eulogist. Music for the service included a piano solo, "Stardust", a recorded selection of "Because You Loved Me" by Celine Dion, one congregational hymn, "In The Garden" and a vocal duet of Brenda Martens and Ann Platt singing, "Amazing Grace" and "His Eye Is On The Sparrow". Mary Kuhlmann served as pianist. Honorary pallbearers included Marion McCord, Ellen Nelson, William Q. and Diane Norelius and Charles J. and Marilyn Pollak. Pallbearers were Matthew Stamp, Mark Stamp, Nathan Morgan, Maxwell Cochran, David Wiebers and Peter Frederick. Interment was at Oakland Cemetery, Denison, Iowa. Following the services the family invited everyone to return to the church and join them in fellowship and a luncheon prepared and served by the United Presbyterian Women. A memorial has been established to the United Presbyterian Church, Denison, Iowa. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, Denison, Iowa, was privileged to care for Ruth and her family.