Maxine Abraham • 1917-2004

Maxine Ione Koch Abraham, 87, Minot. An angel guided our beautiful Mother, Maxine to heaven on Monday, August 9, 2004, at a Minot hospital.

She was born in Carter Township, Burke County, ND, on March 12, 1917, the daughter of Peter and Ruby (Lowe) Koch. Maxine was the second of four children. She grew up in the Northgate, ND, area and attended school there.

She married James J. Abraham at Estevan, Saskatchewan. They lived on several farms in the North Portal, Sask. areas until moving to Portal, ND, in the spring of 1939. In the fall of 1948, they moved to Bowbells, ND, where James operated Northern Implement. Later they operated the Bowbells Theatre and Bow Cosmetics and Sundries. Maxine worked in both of these businesses and helped manage them.

While living in North Portal she was a member of the Rural Homemakers Club. In Portal, she was active in the Presbyterian Church serving two terms as President of the Presbyterian Ladies Aid. She was also active in the Portal Rebekah Lodge where she had gone thru most of the chairs and in 1948, served as Noble Grand.

In Bowbells she was a member of the Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school and served a term as president of the Women's society of Christian Service. Maxine was a member of the Bowbells Order of the Eastern Star where she went thru the chairs and in 1969, served as Worthy Matron. She also served as assistant Mother Advisor of the Order of Rainbow for girls for several terms and received the Grand Cross of Color for distinguished service.

Maxine was a member of Eveready Homemakers Club for many years. During their life James and Maxine spent many winters in Arizona. James died in 1979, Maxine continued to spend her winters there up to the present. She was a charter member of the Val Vista Singles Club and served a term as secretary and Vice President. She served a term as Vice President and two terms as President of the Val Vista Eastern Star Social Club.
She was also a charter member of the Order of Eastern Star Club in Mesa. She worked in Christian Women's Club for several years in Mesa and was most recently a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Venus Chapter #14 in Minot.

She was also a former member of the Silver Link Rebekah Lodge #42 in Kenmare, past Matrons Club of Bowbells and the Kem Temple Auxiliary Grand Forks, ND.

Maxine enjoyed baking and will especially be remembered for her famous pies. She also enjoyed growing flowers, reading, dancing and traveling. Her favorite pastime was playing cards especially a challenging game of bridge.

She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

Survivors: Children, Sheila Maxine Kressin, Austin, TX, Karen Hughes, San Antonio, TX, and Ronald J. Abraham, Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren; Michael Shean, San Antonio, TX, Samuel Phillips and Jill Ann Kressin, Austin, TX, and Chris and Nathan Abraham, Sioux Falls, SD; sisters, Margie Busch, Hamilton, MT, and Hazel Langely, Missoula, MT; several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. She was preceded in death by her husband, James, parents, and brother, Raymond Koch.

Funeral Service: Friday, August 13, 2004, at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, Bowbells.

Visitation: Two hours prior to the service at the church.

Burial: Bowbells Community Cemetery, Bowbells.

Officiant: Rev. David Birkeland

Music: Congregational hymns,
"Beyond The Sunset" "Softly and Tenderly"
Ron Nelson, vocalist to offer
"Precious Lord Take My Hand"
"In The Garden"
Mary Lynn Jensen, organist

Most Honored Fraternal Organization: All of Maxine's brothers and sister's Of The Order Of The Eastern Star

Honorary Bearers: Ervin Schultz, Bruce Anderson, Roy & Shirley Harrington, Ken & Virginia Blaney, Harley & Delores Durward, Todd & Mary Ann Bodine, Brian & Linda Dickerson

Active Bearers: Samuel Phillips, Michael Shean, Don Abraham, Wayne Abraham, Mark Skinner Vic Welch

Back to Obituaries