Maxine Harper

Maxine Harper, 93, formerly of Twin Falls, passed away on Sunday, August 20, 2017 at Autumn Wind in Caldwell, Idaho. Maxine was born in Buhl, Idaho on December 30, 1923 to parents, Leslie and Nellie Spainhower Brabb. She attended Buhl schools and graduated in 1942. She married the love of her life, Albert Edward (Ed) Harper in 1942. Their family expanded to three with the birth of their only child, a daughter, Laura Lee in 1943. Maxine was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church.

Maxine was constantly working…even when she was sitting still, she had something in her hands…crocheting, embroidery or some other craft. She worked for a while outside of her home at Woolworths, then later at the Idaho Department Store, and when Ed became a Grange Insurance agent, she ran his office, taking care of all the associated paperwork for him.

Maxine liked doing anything Ed enjoyed. She helped him on the farm; he called her the best hired hand he’d ever had. She enjoyed fishing and hunting with him…and even took up trail bike riding when he decided to give that a try!

She was a supreme homemaker and maintained a spotless, well organized home…not an easy task on a farm with so much mud and dirt around. She was a very talented seamstress and made most all of her clothing as well as Laura’s. She led a 4-H group for years and taught her daughter as well as many other young girls to sew and cook. She not only made garments but was willing to take on most any sewing task…including mending a tent, designing and making custom fishing vests, even making a covered float tube for Ed to fish in. Maxine loved to garden. For years she had an extensive iris garden in addition to growing lots of fresh vegetables for the family. Weeds were not allowed in her garden or in her lawn. She was also very talented at flower arranging and put those skills to work in a floral shop in Filer.

Ed passed away in 2005 and Mom missed him until the day she died. It is a joy to think of them together again.

The last three years of her life, she resided at Autumn Wind in Caldwell. Our gratitude goes out to the staff there, who were so good to her and who she grew to think of as family. She loved the hugs, laughter and jokes. We appreciated the safety, care and unconditional love they gave her.

She is survived by one daughter, Laura Lee (Dennis) White of Meridian, two grandchildren, Phillip L White (Michele) of Nampa, and Teresa L. White of Rupert. She has two great grandchildren, Cole (Autumn) White of Boise, Catherine White of Nampa and one great, great grandson, Theodore, of Boise. She is also survived by her and Ed’s dear friend and ‘almost son’ Glenn (Sandy) Fischer of Filer. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ed, her parents, Leslie and Nellie Brabb, and her brother, George Brabb.

Services will be held on Saturday, August 26, 10:00 am at Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Road, Twin Falls. Donations in Maxine’s memory can be given to the Filer Baptist Church or a charity of your choice.