Maxine Williams

GROTON- Maxine Williams, 69 of Groton and formerly of Webster died on Monday, August 7, 2006 at her home in Groton. Her funeral will be at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, August 12, 2006 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Webster. Burial will be in the Webster Cemetery. Visitation will be at Fiksdal Funeral Service in Webster on Friday 4-7 P.M. with a 6:30 P.M. prayer service. Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday. Maxine Graves was born on July 3, 1937 in Waubay, South Dakota to Lester and Selma (Herrold) Graves. A treasured only child, she was raised in Waubay, baptized and confirmed at the Congregational Church and graduated Valedictorian from Waubay High School in 1955. As a young girl, she was very involved in school, church and community. Her passion and gift was music of all kinds, vocal and instrumental. She expressed this through vocal and piano solos for many celebrations and ceremonies. Maxine worked at Northwestern Public Service in Webster until she was united in marriage to Harlan Williams on February 8, 1959 at the Congregational Church in Waubay. She was embraced as a beloved member of Harlan’s large family. The couple then made their home on the family farm until moving to Webster in 1978. She and Harlan managed the American Legion, touching many lives throughout those years. She was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and her community. They retired together in 2002 and moved to Groton, where they have lived since. Maxine’s lifelong love and devotion was to her family and her faith. She created a rare family bond and dedicated her life to them and to Jesus. She also enjoyed cooking, especially for family gatherings. She liked to garden, hunt, fish, and spend time with her children and grandchildren. Blessed by sharing her life are Maxine’s husband, Harlan of Groton; two daughters, Sandra (Jack) Koenig of Dell Rapids, SD and Terri (Kevin) Murray of Rapid City, SD; one son, David (Angela) Williams of Aberdeen, SD; a daughter-in-law, Dora Williams Batt of Waco, TX; nine grandchildren, Nathan and Jay Koenig, Patrick and Sharon Murray, Amanda, Benjamin and Jesse Williams and Karen Williams; and one great granddaughter, Mariah Koenig. Preceding her to heaven are her parents, one son, Charles (Chuck) Williams, and a grandson, Kevin Koenig. She will be forever loved and missed by all who knew her.