Maxine Lorraine (Felper) Smith, 83, of Rochester, MN passed away peacefully at Madonna Summit of Byron, MN on July 26, 2024.

Maxine was born on August 15, 1940, with her identical twin sister Marjorie, in Grinnell, Iowa. She was the daughter of Lyle Felper and Genevieve Vogt Felper Coulthard. She was raised in the area and a 1958 graduate of Grinnell High School. She attended and graduated with a bachelor's degree in sociology from University of Iowa and became an avid Iowa Hawkeye football fan! There, she met her husband of forty years, James Smith and they married on June 15, 1963, at St. Mary's in Grinnell, Iowa. They made their home in Keokuk, Iowa, where he practiced physical therapy. They raised three children, and she was involved in many of their activities and helped with her husband's business. She worked in financial services and was active in the community, volunteering for many events. She served on the Keokuk (Iowa) Historic Preservation Commission and successfully listed their civil war era home on the National Register of Historic Places. She was a 4-H leader and served on the Iowa State 4-H Extension and was an active member of P.E.O. chapter LZ in Keokuk. One of her many passions was gardening. She became a certified Master Gardener through the University of Illinois, Illinois Extension and used her knowledge to volunteer in public gardens, including Mayowood in Rochester, MN. She also loved to cook for family and friends, read and host people for dinner or just a cup of coffee, she did not know a stranger, all were welcome in her home.

She spent the last 20 years in Rochester, MN to be closer to family. There she worked for a short time in financial services and then retired in 2005 to volunteer and enjoy her grandchildren's many activities. She volunteered at the Mayo Clinic and Church of the Resurrection and was a member of the Rochester Garden Club. She made many friends in Rochester at church and the Rochester Athletic Club. Wherever she was, she connected with the people she met, and she enjoyed them all.

Maxine is survived by her sister, Marjorie Hajek of Lake St. Louis, MO; daughters Julie (Tracy) Bashore of Rochester, MN and Kathy Smith of West Des Moines, IA; son Justin (Kathy) Smith of North Plainfield, NJ; five grandchildren, Ellen (Peter) LeBeau of Marshall, MN; Curtis (Jasmine) Bashore of Manor, TX; Craig (Megan) Bashore of Fargo, ND; Jane Leggett of West Des Moines, IA and Max Leggett of Des Moines, IA; three great grandsons, Sebastian, Luke and Camilo, brother in law Jack (Mary Jo) Smith of Keokuk, IA and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Gordon Felper, brother-in-law Edward Hajek, and her former husband, James Smith.

Maxine's family would like to thank the staff of Madonna Summit in Byron, MN and the Mayo Clinic Hospice team for their loving care of mom these last seven months. The way you served our mom honored her and she enjoyed all of you and we are forever grateful. In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a memorial to Mayo Clinic Hospice in Rochester, MN or Madonna Summit in Byron, MN.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Grinnell, Iowa, with burial immediately following the service at Chester Cemetery in Grinnell. Visitation with the family will be held on Monday, August 12, 2024, from 4pm - 6pm at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell, IA. Arrangements by Smith Funeral Home, Grinnell, IA.