Maxine Viola Chastain, the daughter of Harold H. and Nellie V. (Younggren) Hunt was born December 2, 1922 at Climax, IA. She passed away on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at the Hillcrest Rehab and Care Center, Mankato, MN at the age of 95 years, 9 months and 10 days.

Maxine was baptized and confirmed at the Fremont Lutheran Church, Nyman, IA. She was an active member of the church with her parents, husband and daughters. Maxine was a Sunday School teacher for several years, sang in the choir and was President of the Women of the ELCA organization at Nyman, as well as the Quilting for Charity group.

Maxine married Keith Chastain on December 8, 1940 and from this union two daughters were born. Connie Born of New Braunfels, TX and Pamela Schweim of Mankato, MN. Keith and Maxine farmed for over 40 years, until 1981 when they moved to Red Oak.

Maxine was notoriously known as the Avon Lady of Essex, IA and the surrounding area for 11 years. She worked for a short time managing the catalog department for Sears and Roebuck until she was offered a position of assistant manager at Henry Field's Garden Center of Shenandoah, IA. She enjoyed selling precious decorative items, yard greenery, as well as leading tours of the beautiful gardens at Henry Fields. Maxine enjoyed 23 years working as the activities coordinator at Vista Garden Care Center, where she touched the lives of many residents and their families. Maxine truly loved making a difference in the daily lives of those within the center.

After retiring, Maxine returned to doing the job she loved the most and volunteered at care centers and assisted living facilities. She enjoyed singing with the Happy Warblers and supporting families whose loved ones were placed into the Hospice Program.

Maxine and Keith loved to travel, and their excursions took them to Hawaii, a cruise to Alaska, bus tours all over the United States and finally that fantastic 14-day trip through Europe visiting Austria, Germany, France and England.

In 2012, Maxine moved to Mankato, MN to be closer to her distant family.

Maxine's love for her family ran very deeply, which she expressed often through deeds and words expressing how she lived for us, which gave her much joy and all of us unquestionable love and strength.

Maxine was preceded in death by husband, Keith Chastain; parents; sister, Betty Clark and brother-in-law, Leonard Clark; brother-in-law, Charlie Walker and grandson, Michael Focht.

Maxine will be greatly missed by the loved ones she leaves behind, daughters: Connie (Robert) Born and Pamela (Arlee) Schweim; granddaughters: Andrea (Adam) Williams of Austin, TX, Jennifer Crooker (Eric Streett) and Jillian (Chris) Cousins of Mankato, MN; great-grandchildren, Coral Sandstrom, Braydon Cousins, Waylon Cousins, Emma Streett and Ayden Streett of Mankato, MN; sister, Pauline Walker of Red Oak, IA; and brothers, Larry and Don Hunt of AZ; several nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

May God bless her memory and give strength to those who mourn.

Funeral Service will be held

Thursday, September 20, 2018 at 10:30 a.m.
At Fremont Lutheran Church, Nyman, IA

Burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Nyman

Rev. Ann Albert, Officiating

Visitation with the family present will be on Wednesday, September 19 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be direct to the charity of your choice in Maxine's name.

Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.