Maxine Lorraine Talley

Maxine Lorraine Talley, age 88, formerly of Culbertson, NE, died Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at Columbine West Health and Rehab in Fort Collins, CO.

Maxine was born September 17, 1931 in Culbertson to parents George Ernest and Fairy Etta (Seybold) Rhoades.  Maxine came from a large family, five boys and four girls.  She became her dad’s “boy” by helping with the farm work after all her brothers had left home.  She spent a lot of time in the fields driving a 10-20 tractor and a dump truck.

Maxine graduated from Culbertson High School in 1949.  She was very sad when graduation came because she loved going to school and thought she would never be a part of it again. She did, however, go on to attend McCook College, initially to obtain a secretarial degree which she later changed to pre-nursing.  At the time of graduation, she changed her degree back to a Secretarial Degree because she was engaged and at that time, you couldn’t be married and attend Nurses Training.  After graduating from college, Maxine worked for KBRL Radio, Acme Printing Company and the Bureau of Reclamation.  When her children were old enough to be in school, she became the school secretary for Culbertson Schools where she worked for 36 years, retiring in 1997.

In 1977, due to complications from a back surgery, it was necessary for Maxine to permanently use crutches.  Though she loved to dance, what she missed the most was taking her grandchildren by the arm and walking with them.  Her greatest joy was her children and grandchildren.

In 1993, while recovering from hip surgery in a Colorado Nursing Home, Maxine realized the importance of volunteers.  She played the piano and entertained the residents most every day.  When she retired from working, she began her mission of entertaining residents weekly at El Dorado Manor, Highland Park and Hillcrest Caring Center, including the special unit.  Maxine found volunteering to be a very rewarding experience. She played the piano for the last time on Easter Sunday.

Maxine was a church organist for 23 years, playing at both the Methodist Church in Culbertson and the Church of God in McCook.  She was a member of the United Methodist Women, V.F.W. Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary.  Maxine was a Girl Scout Leader as well as a Sunday School Teacher, she enjoyed music and dancing.

Some of Maxine’s words to live by were “life is not all fun and games, but it’s still an adventure because we don’t know what’s coming tomorrow”, “life is like a card game; you play the hand you are dealt and some get better hands than others”, “many things are difficult but few are impossible” and lastly, “without the rain, there would be no rainbows”.

Maxine was preceded in death by her parents; all five of her brothers, Earle, Merle, Wayne, William and Glenn Rhoades; two sisters, Louisa Rhoades and LaVaughn Anderson; and a grandson, Baby Mark Talley.

Those left to celebrate her life include her children, Mark Talley of Fort Collins; Patricia “Trish” (Phyl) Rippen of Culbertson and Linda (Don) Eckles of Louisville, NE; sister, Barbara Almond of Denver, CO; sister in law, Val Rhoades of Papillion, NE; nine grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and a host of extended family members and lifelong friends.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Trinity United Methodist Church, PO Box 158, Culbertson, NE 69024 or the Culbertson Rescue Squad, 609 Wyoming St, Culbertson, NE 69024.

Due to COVID-19, Maxine’s life will be honored at a Memorial Service in the near future.