Maxine Rose Fischer

Maxine Rose Fischer, age 92, of Yankton, South Dakota, died Thursday, August 2, 2018 at Avera Majestic Hospice House in Yankton. A celebration of Maxine’s life will be 10:30 AM on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Yankton with Reverend Steve Weispfennig and Reverend Jim Mueller officiating. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Yankton. Visitation is from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Monday, August 6, 2018 at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Pallbearers are Hannah Brower, Jonathan Loefke, Josh Habick, Mike A. Johnson, Jeff McAdaragh, and Dennis Smith. Maxine Rose Fischer was born July 3, 1926, in DeSmet, South Dakota, to Harry and Inez (Colman) McAdaragh. She grew up on a farm south of DeSmet and graduated from DeSmet High School. She then attended General Beadle College in Madison, South Dakota and received her teaching certificate. She married Merrit Nelson on March 4, 1950 in Canton, South Dakota. Maxine married Arthur Fischer on October 16, 1960 in Yankton, South Dakota. Maxine worked as a teacher for nine years and a teacher’s aide for three years in Springfield, Menno and Yankton. She worked in many retail stores in Yankton and then became the Coordinator for the Teen Volunteer Program at Sacred Heart Hospital, which she continued for 13 years until her retirement in 1996. Maxine’s volunteer work included serving on the council at Trinity Lutheran Church and also President of the congregation for one year. Maxine and Arthur joined St. John’s Lutheran Church in 1999. She was active in the Mary Circle at Trinity Lutheran Church and then the Ruth Circle when they joined St. John’s Lutheran Church. Maxine also worked with refugees for many years and coordinated the Yankton Refugee Program for several years. She enjoyed being part of many bible studies, teaching classes and leading bible studies both at Trinity Lutheran and St. John’s Lutheran Churches. Survivors include her two daughters: Mary Anne (Bill) Nelson-Loefke of Tabor, South Dakota and Janet (Jack) Habick of Des Moines, Iowa; three grandchildren: Hannah (Jacob) Brower, Jonathan Loefke, Josh Habick; and brother, Dale McAdaragh (Jeri) of Wagner, South Dakota. She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Merrit Nelson; second husband, Arthur Fischer; three sisters and one brother. Monetary gifts will be donated to Pathways Shelter for the Homeless and River City Domestic Violence Center. To send an online message to the family, please visit www.wintzrayfuneralhome.com.