E. Maxine Younker, 89, Minot, died Sunday, February 05, 2017, in her daughter's home surrounded by her loving family in the care of her nurse angels from Trinity Hospice who blessed her with their loving care.

Ellen Maxine Linson was born May 18, 1927, in Stanley, ND, the final blessing in a family of five to Garfield and Verle (Turner) Linson. She grew up in Stanley and graduated from the North Dakota School for the Deaf in Devils Lake in 1945.

Following graduation, she moved to Seattle, WA where she worked for a year packing parachutes. Life carried Maxine from California to Illinois where she worked in the radio manufacturing industry and attended school. She earned a training certificate from the Elgin School of Watchmaking in Chicago and was the only female in her class. She returned to North Dakota to settle down and get married. She also worked at The Minot Dental Lab for a time.

Maxine was united in marriage to Herbert Younker on April 23, 1955 in Stanley, ND. They were blessed with three children who grew up in the home they built in Minot. Maxine was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who took great pride in her family. Her feisty, get it done, yet fun loving attitude was apparent in every activity or event she took part. As a member of the deaf community, she attended retreats, taught sign language, and was very active volunteering for various organizations.

Maxine loved to travel and visit historical and new attractions, even treating her family to a cruise in the Caribbean. She enjoyed the summers spent at Strawberry Lake where she was the 'Captain of the boat' while cruising around the lake on the pontoon. She treasured the time spent with family during the Fourth of July where she was known to throw a firecracker or two at you. She wintered in Arizona the last few years enjoying the perks of being a snowbird. Maxine enjoyed playing games, cards, bingo, bowling, knitting and sewing. She was a member of a pool league and enjoyed her trips to the casino. She was a diehard Minnesota Vikings fan. Maxine found joy in making quilts and crocheting blankets for her family and friends. Maxine was a member of Our Redeemer's Church, Deaf Ministry and Eagles Aerie, all of Minot.

Maxine and Herb's family and friends knew that their door was always open. She will be missed by all who called her mom and grandma. Maxine's legacy of love and faith will be carried on by all who were blessed to share in her life.

Her loving family includes her children, John (Kathy) Younker, Hazen, ND, Roberta (Dan) Degenstein, Minot and Nancy (Tony) Stewart, Burlington, ND; grandchildren, Jennifer (Jason) Brandt, TJ (Melissa) Stewart, Annette (Jay) Van Dyke, Travis Stewart, Justin (Jennifer) Pool, Jacob (Jaime) Younker and Andrew Younker; great-grandchildren, Madisyn and McKenna Edmisten, Aiden, Isaac, Ian, Ella, Aubrey and Asher Stewart; Ava, Ella and Lily Van Dyke, Nevaeh Marmon, Kira and Cooper Younker; step-grandchildren, Lisa (Ole) Bergstad and Amy (Mike) Lilly; step-great-grandchildren, Stefany and Samantha Spencer, Shyanne Jensen, Alex and Lacy Peltier, Kassidy and Blaize Bergstad; step-great-great grandchildren, Braxton and Zayden along with numerous nieces, nephews and many close friends she treasured over the years.

Maxine was preceded in death by her parents, loving husband of 56 years, Herbert, sisters, Verba Reid and Janie Parmele and brothers, Marvin and Vern Linson.

Funeral service: 1:30 p.m. Friday, February 10, 2017, at Our Redeemer's Church, Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 9, 2017, from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Trinity Hospice of Minot.