Oct. 16, 2023
Barbara Jean Max, 84, wife of Ronald, of Hutchinson, passed away Oct. 16 at Woodstone Senior Living in Hutchinson. Memorial service was Oct. 20 at Faith Lutheran Church with interment in Gaylord City Cemetery in Gaylord. Clergy officiating was the Rev. Paulus Pilgrim. Organist was Austin Willhite. Soloist Mona Hjerpe sang "Jesus, There is Something About That Name." Eulogy was by Mike Max. Congregational hymns were "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and "Blessed Assurance." Urn bearers were her grandchildren, Joseph, John, Bridget, Amy, Cassidy, Colton, Hannah and Mitchell.
She was born April 13, 1939, in Alexandria, the daughter of Howard and Marion (Robinson) Beck. She was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in her faith as a youth. She received her education in Morris and was a graduate of the Morris High School class of 1957. She was valedictorian of her class. She was homecoming queen and participated in choir, speech and debate. She was a state champion in speech and qualified and participated in the national speech competition at the University of Kentucky in 1957. She graduated from Hamline University in St. Paul, where she received her bachelor's degree in nursing. Later in life she went to also get a degree in public health from the University of Minnesota.
On Sept. 17, 1961, Barbara was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Ronald Max, at Federated Church in Morris. This marriage was blessed with three sons, Kevin, Michael and Marc. Barbara and Ron resided in Brownton for four years, Gaylord for 38 years, and moved to Hutchinson in 2004. They shared 61 years of marriage.
She was employed as a registered nurse at the Veteran's Hospital in Minneapolis and Glencoe Regional Health in Glencoe. She was the public health nurse for Sibley County and school nurse for Gaylord Public Schools for 32 years. Barbara retired in 1997. She was a member of United Church of Christ in Gaylord where she served on numerous boards, including president of the church. She loved singing in the church choir. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, serving on the council. Barbara was also a member of the PEO in Hutchinson. She served on the Infant Mortality Review Board for Minnesota. She served on various boards with the Minnesota Department of Health. She worked with the child protection program in Sibley County. For years she chaired the Sibley County blood drive. She was a hospice nurse in Gaylord and continued that service by volunteering for hospice in Hutchinson and co-chairing annual hospice fundraising banquets. In 2014 she was named Hutchinson Woman of the Year.
Barb's greatest gift was her ability to connect with individuals and help them just when they needed it the most. Her faith guided her and was a light she would shine for others to see. There was nothing more important to her than her strong faith in God.
Barbara enjoyed traveling, reading and cooking. She especially enjoyed spending time at their special cabin in Breezy Point with their up north friends. She also enjoyed playing bridge, golfing, and attending sporting events. Barbara cherished spending time with her family, grandchildren and friends.
Blessed be her memory.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Ronald Max, of Hutchinson; sons, Kevin Max and his wife, Peg, of Delano, Michael Max and his wife, Jennifer, of Eden Prairie, Marc Max and his wife, Michele, of Hutchinson; grandchildren, Joseph (Rachel), John (Clare), Bridget, Amy, Cassidy, Colton, Hannah, Mitchell; great-grandchildren, Sophie and Hadley Max, Calvin and Juliet Max; brother, Kenneth Beck and his wife, Joyce, of Austin, Texas; sister-in-law, Diane Feuhtenberger of Morris; and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Marion Beck; brother-in-law, Wallace Feuhtenberger.
Memorials preferred to Meghan's Place, Relay for Life McLeod County Chapter American Cancer Society, Alzheimer's Association.
Arrangements by Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson. Online obituaries and guest book available at www.hantge.com
