February 23rd, 1936 – Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 On March 8, 2023, Maxine Knabe passed away at 87 years of age. She attended school in Syracuse, Nebraska and was involved in 4-H and band. She also attended Peru State College.
Maxine taught school at a one room school house near Syracuse until she married John Knabe in 1957.
Maxine and John farmed near Nehawka. Maxine worked right along with the men in the field. She was active with the Hampshire and Yorkshire associations and was an important part of their purebred hog operation. During one of the hog sales Maxine and a couple neighbors served over 500 attendees.
Maxine loved working with children and education was very important to her. She was a 4-H leader of the Nehawka Swine 4-H Club for 60 years. Many of those years she would also be the leader of other clubs as well. She loved seeing the children learn and be proud of their accomplishments. The Cass County Fair was always a highlight of the year. Maxine and John were 4-H Swine Superintendents for many years. Maxine was also Superintendent for Home Environment.
Maxine was a member of the Nehawka United Methodist Church and was a past Sunday School teacher, church youth group leader, United Methodist Women, and extension club.
In Maxine’s later years she loved quilting and making quilts for the 4-H quilt auction. She also loved to read.
Maxine is survived by her husband John; daughter Susan Knabe (Russ Rains); grandchildren Matthew (Jerica) Knabe, Krystl Knabe (Cody Knopp), Daniel (Kayla) Knabe, Dustin (Natasha) Knabe; stepgrandchild Stormy Rains; several great-grandchild children. She is preceded in death by her parents Herman and Marie Meyer, in-laws Harry and Fern Knabe, son David Knabe, and great granddaughter Bennet Knabe.
Thank you to all the wonderful caregivers Maxine had the past few years while at home, in rehabilitation, and at Pemberly Place.
Graveside services were held Saturday March 11 at the St. John’s Cemetery in rural Nehawka.
Memorials suggested to Cass County 4-H Council or St. John’s Cemetery Hammons Family Funeral Service of Weeping Water entrusted with arrangements
As reported by Nebraska City News Press
