Elma was born on September 1, 1924, on the family farm near Clarion, Iowa to Salmer and Eda Jordanger Anderson. She attended rural school and graduated with the Class of 1942 from Clarion High School. Following her education she worked for the Rural Electric Co-op. On July 29, 1945, she was married to Lawrence Maxon in Clarion. The couple operated a grain and livestock farm in the Clarion area. The couple later moved into Clarion and owned and operated the Clarion Movie Theatre from 1977 to 1999. Elma moved to the Mayflower Home in Grinnell in the fall of 1999. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, the Democratic Party and the Adah Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star. She was formerly involved with 4-H, the Wartburg Parent's Committee and was a poll official for local elections. She is survived by one daughter, Patricia (Bob) Larson of Grinnell; one son, Larry Maxon of Grinnell; two granddaughters, Kama Small and Angela Larson, both of Grinnell; and two great granddaughters, Emily and Amanda Small, both of Grinnell; as well as one brother-in-law, Alvin Rousse of New Orleans, LA; and her sister-in-law, Shirley Anderson of Des Moines. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; one sister, Adeline Marcene Anderson; and one brother, Orval Anderson.