Helen Maxine Mather

Helen Maxine Mather was born February 16, 1925 near Columbus Junction, Iowa, the daughter of John Calvin and Margaret Agnes (Nolan) Gage. She graduated from Kinross High School in 1943 and attended Parsons College in Fairfield. She taught school in a one room schoolhouse for 3 years. On May 23, 1946 Maxine was united in marriage to Joe Henry Mather at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Kinross. Maxine was a hard working farm wife, milking cows, growing huge gardens and raising chickens. She was known as the egg lady. She taught her family the importance of hard work. Maxine was a former member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Keswick and St. Mary Catholic Church in Sigourney, as well as a member of the Altar & Rosary Society at both parishes. Maxine died on Friday, January 31, 2020 at Manor House Care Center in Sigourney at the age of 94 years.

She is survived by four daughters Judy (Don) Peiffer of Ottumwa, Linda (Wayne) Cranston of Keswick, Nancy Tremmel of Sigourney and Cathy (Mike McGriff) Mather of New Sharon; a son Larry (Vergene Schmidt) Mather of Keswick; 16 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; 3 great, great granchildren; extra special family Jim, Janice, Meridith, Jeremiah and Melinda Hoylman; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Joe of 59 years; a son-in-law Dave Tremmel; and 3 sisters Mary Greiner, Geraldine Miller and Myrtle "Mickey" Miller.

Funeral Mass will be held 10:30 am Thursday, February 6, 2020 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Sigourney. Fr. Robert Lathrop will officiate. Burial will be in the Sorden Cemetery, near Webster. Visitation will be 4-7 pm on Wednesday, February 5 at Powell Funeral Home in North English. A general memorial fund has been established. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com