Maxine Appeldorn

MARY MAXINE APPELDORN was born to William and Laura (Kirby) Smith on December 26, 1926 in Pipestone, Minnesota.  She grew up in Pipestone, graduating from Pipestone High School in 1944.  Following high school graduation, Max was employed as a telephone operator for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in Pipestone.

On November 12, 1946, she was united in marriage to Henry “Hank” Appeldorn at St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone.  Following their marriage they lived in Pipestone and welcomed eight children.  Max was a stay-at-home mother during those years, while she and Hank raised their family.  After the children were raised, she was employed at Northern States Power Company in Pipestone for over twenty years.  

After retirement, Hank and Max spent time traveling and visiting with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Max was very fond of her grandchildren and they of her.  She was known as “Grandma Apple” to them - a name she dearly loved.

In July, 2010, they moved into Whispering Winds in Pipestone.  On March 16, 2011, Hank passed away.  Hank and Max were married 64 years.  In March of 2017, Max was admitted to Avera McKenna Hospital and on April 27, 2017, Max became a resident at the Neighborhoods of Brookview - Brookings Health System in Brookings, SD.  She died there on Monday, January 13, 2020 at the age of 93 years and eighteen days.

Max was a member of St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone.  She was a member of Michael Boock American Legion Auxiliary Post #6 in which she served as President in 1960.  She enjoyed embroidery, reading and baking.  Her visits with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were always very special to her.

She is lovingly remembered by her children and daughter-in-law; Linn Merkley and her husband Dick of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Sue Bredeck and her husband Mike of Prinsburg, Minnesota, Dave Appeldorn of Sun City West, Arizona, Jim Appeldorn and his wife Kim of Shoreview, Minnesota, Mike Appeldorn and his wife Teri of Tea, South Dakota, and Ardie Appeldorn of Marshall, Minnesota; fifteen grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Hank; her sons, Tom, Joe and Jeff; her parents; and her brother, Don Smith.