Maxine Harms

Maxine Carolyn (Weigel) Harms passed from this world on March 27, 2021, after a 4-year battle with cancer. She was proceeded in death by her father: Raymond Weigel, her mother: Geneva (Wirth) Weigel and a brother: Robert Dean Weigel. The family wishes to pass on its gratitude to the many who visited, sent cards/best wishes, and prayed for Maxine in her final days. Maxine was born on November 9, 1953 and lived on a farm in rural Boone County. Her favorite childhood memories consisted of playing school, jumping on the family trampoline, riding their pony and adventures with her siblings. Her least favorites were chores, walking beans and, as the youngest, the pranks her older siblings played on her. Many a Sunday family dinner were spent reminiscing about life growing up on the farm and arguing about which siblings’ version of events were accurate. She attended United Community School and was close with many of her classmates right up to the time she passed. After high school, Maxine attended the University of Northern Iowa graduating with a degree in early childhood education. Again, she formed close long-lasting friendships with several of her college buddies. Maxine’s passion was teaching, and her first job was teaching elementary grades for Sacred Heart Elementary School in Boone, Iowa. She finished her career teaching for Collins Maxwell where she taught TAG, middle school social studies and 5th grade. Additionally, she served as the director of the Sunrise Preschool program for Children’s Services of Central Iowa, worked as preschool teacher in several local preschools including Kiddie Kampus and the Berry Patch and operated her own daycare -Wee Care - in Gilbert. Between teaching she worked as librarian at Iowa State University and the Nevada Public Library. Closely related to her passion for teaching was her interest in history, especially local history, social studies, and travel. Her traveling crossed the range of world and always included a historical or social studies theme. She was blessed to visit Ireland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Vatican City, and Poland on several trips to Europe – plus a trip to Belize to excavate Mayan ruins. Domestically, they ranged from Niagara Falls, Yellowstone and Alaska. She travelled by - large and small- boat, plane, train and once in a balloon. Her favorite trips, however, were the local weekend trips with her siblings and family, including a weeklong wagon train trip in Story County and trips to Laura Ingel Wilder sites. Maxine was committed to local history and its preservation. She was actively involved in the Nevada Historic Preservation Commission, the Country School House Association and the Nevada Community Historical Society. One of her favorite activities for the NCHS was planning and putting on day camps at the one room school located on one of the main NCHS properties. Although taken to early, Maxine was blessed with a full life of work, interests, travel, friends and family. She is survived by her husband, Michael; children Jessica Harms, Joshua Harms, Callie Frohwein; sons-in-law Ari Richelson (Jessica), Dennis Frohwein (Callie); granddaughters Anna Jo and Alisaa Richelson (Jessica), Ryley and Harper Frohwein (Callie); siblings Patricia Chanez, James Weigel, Raynette Buckman and Marylou Weigel. A visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Monday, April 5, at Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home (1418 Fawcett Pkwy) in Nevada and a vigil service will be at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 6 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church (1110 11th Street) in Nevada with Father Rick Dagit officiating. Burial will follow at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery near Gilbert. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Joseph Indian School, Chamberlain, SD or St Jude’s Children Hospital, Memphis, TN. Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada is handling arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rasmussonfh.com