Wenatchee World - Friday, February 5, 2010
The world lost an unsung heroine of the people and true lady, February 3, 2010, when longtime Seattle resident, Mary "Maxine" (Hart) Asmussen lost a two year battle with lung cancer. Born March 16, 1930, in Mabton, WA, Maxine always was drawn to helping the underdog and pushing all to better themselves. An avid bridge player and life-time learner, she centered her world around family, friends and working to make her community a fair and just place. Maxine was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, David Asmussen. A multi-faceted lady, with a wonderful sense of humor and quick wit, Maxine believed in leading by example and encouraged all to better themselves. Perhaps her drive came from being the sixth child in the family of nine children of William Everett and Louise Hart. Certainly, working on the family farm in the Yakima Valley inspired her motivation to acquire an education and led her to college, at a time when most women did not seek higher education. During her college years at Central Washington, Maxine's work ethic paid off, being named to the college honor rolls, as well as making her way into the book, "Who's Who In American College and Universities" as a senior representative. It was while she was teaching, that she was swept off her feet by a dashing rogue of a cowboy, David Asmussen, of the Mansfield area. The two were married June 1, 1953, in Coeur d'Alene, ID, eventually settling in Seattle, WA. Maxine and Dave never moved again, creating a steadfast family foundation for over 50 years, in the Haller Lake community. Family quickly followed Maxine's move to Seattle, starting with the birth of their daughter, Shawn. She was soon followed by daughters, Sherry and Suzann. Gender and letters changed for the final two babies, with sons, Rick, and the baby of the family, Randy. Maxine relinquished her teaching career to focus her attention on raising her children. With five children born within a seven-year span, the Asmussen clan tended to swarm each grade band of the school they attended. Often, there was a child in every grade level. All had one thing in common though, the love and support of their mother. As Maxine pushed them to love learning as much as she did and, as they advanced through the Seattle public school system, Maxine became a familiar member of various PTAs, Girl Scouts and sports organizations. Being involved in the community was a citizen's responsibility and Maxine practiced what she preached. She was a member of the Haller Lake Community Club, the Orthopedic Children's Guild and Easter Seals. She also managed to work outside the home, substitute teaching and clerking for Woolworth Stores. On a more personal level, she reached out to those individuals in the community who were suffering and became surrogate mom to more than one of her children's friends. In her spare time, Maxine's passion was playing bridge, a passion that cemented some lifetime friendships. She also rarely started a day without reading the newspaper, cover to cover, and working the crossword puzzles. Her thirst for knowledge, her quick wit and her boundless optimism, stayed with her for her entire life.
Maxine leaves behind a very large extended family, who are bereft in their loss. She was the captain of the ship and we are rudderless without her. She leaves behind her daughter, Shawn, husband, Doug (Dunlap) and children, Amy (Chad Smith) and Melissa; daughter, Sherry Anderson and longtime partner, CT (Grubbs); daughter, Suzann Hart, husband, Rod (Herold) and children, Kristen, Kyle and Karen; son, Rick and daughter, Alicia; and son, Randy, wife, Tracy and children, Riley, Royce and Tricia. There are also four great-grandchildren. Maxine also leaves behind her one sister, Lola Baker; brothers, Bob, Bill and Roger Hart; and beloved sister-in-law, Genevieve Diksen.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, February 6, 2010, at Evergreen-Washelli, 11111 Aurora Avenue N., Seattle, at Noon. All are invited to attend a Celebration of her Life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests all donations be bequeathed to the Firdale Orthopedic Guild of Children's Hospital. Please sign an on-line memorial at washelli.com.
The world lost an unsung heroine of the people and true lady, February 3, 2010, when longtime Seattle resident, Mary "Maxine" (Hart) Asmussen lost a two year battle with lung cancer. Born March 16, 1930, in Mabton, WA, Maxine always was drawn to helping the underdog and pushing all to better themselves. An avid bridge player and life-time learner, she centered her world around family, friends and working to make her community a fair and just place. Maxine was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, David Asmussen. A multi-faceted lady, with a wonderful sense of humor and quick wit, Maxine believed in leading by example and encouraged all to better themselves. Perhaps her drive came from being the sixth child in the family of nine children of William Everett and Louise Hart. Certainly, working on the family farm in the Yakima Valley inspired her motivation to acquire an education and led her to college, at a time when most women did not seek higher education. During her college years at Central Washington, Maxine's work ethic paid off, being named to the college honor rolls, as well as making her way into the book, "Who's Who In American College and Universities" as a senior representative. It was while she was teaching, that she was swept off her feet by a dashing rogue of a cowboy, David Asmussen, of the Mansfield area. The two were married June 1, 1953, in Coeur d'Alene, ID, eventually settling in Seattle, WA. Maxine and Dave never moved again, creating a steadfast family foundation for over 50 years, in the Haller Lake community. Family quickly followed Maxine's move to Seattle, starting with the birth of their daughter, Shawn. She was soon followed by daughters, Sherry and Suzann. Gender and letters changed for the final two babies, with sons, Rick, and the baby of the family, Randy. Maxine relinquished her teaching career to focus her attention on raising her children. With five children born within a seven-year span, the Asmussen clan tended to swarm each grade band of the school they attended. Often, there was a child in every grade level. All had one thing in common though, the love and support of their mother. As Maxine pushed them to love learning as much as she did and, as they advanced through the Seattle public school system, Maxine became a familiar member of various PTAs, Girl Scouts and sports organizations. Being involved in the community was a citizen's responsibility and Maxine practiced what she preached. She was a member of the Haller Lake Community Club, the Orthopedic Children's Guild and Easter Seals. She also managed to work outside the home, substitute teaching and clerking for Woolworth Stores. On a more personal level, she reached out to those individuals in the community who were suffering and became surrogate mom to more than one of her children's friends. In her spare time, Maxine's passion was playing bridge, a passion that cemented some lifetime friendships. She also rarely started a day without reading the newspaper, cover to cover, and working the crossword puzzles. Her thirst for knowledge, her quick wit and her boundless optimism, stayed with her for her entire life.
Maxine leaves behind a very large extended family, who are bereft in their loss. She was the captain of the ship and we are rudderless without her. She leaves behind her daughter, Shawn, husband, Doug (Dunlap) and children, Amy (Chad Smith) and Melissa; daughter, Sherry Anderson and longtime partner, CT (Grubbs); daughter, Suzann Hart, husband, Rod (Herold) and children, Kristen, Kyle and Karen; son, Rick and daughter, Alicia; and son, Randy, wife, Tracy and children, Riley, Royce and Tricia. There are also four great-grandchildren. Maxine also leaves behind her one sister, Lola Baker; brothers, Bob, Bill and Roger Hart; and beloved sister-in-law, Genevieve Diksen.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, February 6, 2010, at Evergreen-Washelli, 11111 Aurora Avenue N., Seattle, at Noon. All are invited to attend a Celebration of her Life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests all donations be bequeathed to the Firdale Orthopedic Guild of Children's Hospital. Please sign an on-line memorial at washelli.com.
Wenatchee World - Friday, February 5, 2010
The world lost an unsung heroine of the people and true lady, February 3, 2010, when longtime Seattle resident, Mary "Maxine" (Hart) Asmussen lost a two year battle with lung cancer. Born March 16, 1930, in Mabton, WA, Maxine always was drawn to helping the underdog and pushing all to better themselves. An avid bridge player and life-time learner, she centered her world around family, friends and working to make her community a fair and just place. Maxine was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, David Asmussen. A multi-faceted lady, with a wonderful sense of humor and quick wit, Maxine believed in leading by example and encouraged all to better themselves. Perhaps her drive came from being the sixth child in the family of nine children of William Everett and Louise Hart. Certainly, working on the family farm in the Yakima Valley inspired her motivation to acquire an education and led her to college, at a time when most women did not seek higher education. During her college years at Central Washington, Maxine's work ethic paid off, being named to the college honor rolls, as well as making her way into the book, "Who's Who In American College and Universities" as a senior representative. It was while she was teaching, that she was swept off her feet by a dashing rogue of a cowboy, David Asmussen, of the Mansfield area. The two were married June 1, 1953, in Coeur d'Alene, ID, eventually settling in Seattle, WA. Maxine and Dave never moved again, creating a steadfast family foundation for over 50 years, in the Haller Lake community. Family quickly followed Maxine's move to Seattle, starting with the birth of their daughter, Shawn. She was soon followed by daughters, Sherry and Suzann. Gender and letters changed for the final two babies, with sons, Rick, and the baby of the family, Randy. Maxine relinquished her teaching career to focus her attention on raising her children. With five children born within a seven-year span, the Asmussen clan tended to swarm each grade band of the school they attended. Often, there was a child in every grade level. All had one thing in common though, the love and support of their mother. As Maxine pushed them to love learning as much as she did and, as they advanced through the Seattle public school system, Maxine became a familiar member of various PTAs, Girl Scouts and sports organizations. Being involved in the community was a citizen's responsibility and Maxine practiced what she preached. She was a member of the Haller Lake Community Club, the Orthopedic Children's Guild and Easter Seals. She also managed to work outside the home, substitute teaching and clerking for Woolworth Stores. On a more personal level, she reached out to those individuals in the community who were suffering and became surrogate mom to more than one of her children's friends. In her spare time, Maxine's passion was playing bridge, a passion that cemented some lifetime friendships. She also rarely started a day without reading the newspaper, cover to cover, and working the crossword puzzles. Her thirst for knowledge, her quick wit and her boundless optimism, stayed with her for her entire life.
Maxine leaves behind a very large extended family, who are bereft in their loss. She was the captain of the ship and we are rudderless without her. She leaves behind her daughter, Shawn, husband, Doug (Dunlap) and children, Amy (Chad Smith) and Melissa; daughter, Sherry Anderson and longtime partner, CT (Grubbs); daughter, Suzann Hart, husband, Rod (Herold) and children, Kristen, Kyle and Karen; son, Rick and daughter, Alicia; and son, Randy, wife, Tracy and children, Riley, Royce and Tricia. There are also four great-grandchildren. Maxine also leaves behind her one sister, Lola Baker; brothers, Bob, Bill and Roger Hart; and beloved sister-in-law, Genevieve Diksen.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, February 6, 2010, at Evergreen-Washelli, 11111 Aurora Avenue N., Seattle, at Noon. All are invited to attend a Celebration of her Life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests all donations be bequeathed to the Firdale Orthopedic Guild of Children's Hospital. Please sign an on-line memorial at washelli.com.
The world lost an unsung heroine of the people and true lady, February 3, 2010, when longtime Seattle resident, Mary "Maxine" (Hart) Asmussen lost a two year battle with lung cancer. Born March 16, 1930, in Mabton, WA, Maxine always was drawn to helping the underdog and pushing all to better themselves. An avid bridge player and life-time learner, she centered her world around family, friends and working to make her community a fair and just place. Maxine was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, David Asmussen. A multi-faceted lady, with a wonderful sense of humor and quick wit, Maxine believed in leading by example and encouraged all to better themselves. Perhaps her drive came from being the sixth child in the family of nine children of William Everett and Louise Hart. Certainly, working on the family farm in the Yakima Valley inspired her motivation to acquire an education and led her to college, at a time when most women did not seek higher education. During her college years at Central Washington, Maxine's work ethic paid off, being named to the college honor rolls, as well as making her way into the book, "Who's Who In American College and Universities" as a senior representative. It was while she was teaching, that she was swept off her feet by a dashing rogue of a cowboy, David Asmussen, of the Mansfield area. The two were married June 1, 1953, in Coeur d'Alene, ID, eventually settling in Seattle, WA. Maxine and Dave never moved again, creating a steadfast family foundation for over 50 years, in the Haller Lake community. Family quickly followed Maxine's move to Seattle, starting with the birth of their daughter, Shawn. She was soon followed by daughters, Sherry and Suzann. Gender and letters changed for the final two babies, with sons, Rick, and the baby of the family, Randy. Maxine relinquished her teaching career to focus her attention on raising her children. With five children born within a seven-year span, the Asmussen clan tended to swarm each grade band of the school they attended. Often, there was a child in every grade level. All had one thing in common though, the love and support of their mother. As Maxine pushed them to love learning as much as she did and, as they advanced through the Seattle public school system, Maxine became a familiar member of various PTAs, Girl Scouts and sports organizations. Being involved in the community was a citizen's responsibility and Maxine practiced what she preached. She was a member of the Haller Lake Community Club, the Orthopedic Children's Guild and Easter Seals. She also managed to work outside the home, substitute teaching and clerking for Woolworth Stores. On a more personal level, she reached out to those individuals in the community who were suffering and became surrogate mom to more than one of her children's friends. In her spare time, Maxine's passion was playing bridge, a passion that cemented some lifetime friendships. She also rarely started a day without reading the newspaper, cover to cover, and working the crossword puzzles. Her thirst for knowledge, her quick wit and her boundless optimism, stayed with her for her entire life.
Maxine leaves behind a very large extended family, who are bereft in their loss. She was the captain of the ship and we are rudderless without her. She leaves behind her daughter, Shawn, husband, Doug (Dunlap) and children, Amy (Chad Smith) and Melissa; daughter, Sherry Anderson and longtime partner, CT (Grubbs); daughter, Suzann Hart, husband, Rod (Herold) and children, Kristen, Kyle and Karen; son, Rick and daughter, Alicia; and son, Randy, wife, Tracy and children, Riley, Royce and Tricia. There are also four great-grandchildren. Maxine also leaves behind her one sister, Lola Baker; brothers, Bob, Bill and Roger Hart; and beloved sister-in-law, Genevieve Diksen.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, February 6, 2010, at Evergreen-Washelli, 11111 Aurora Avenue N., Seattle, at Noon. All are invited to attend a Celebration of her Life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests all donations be bequeathed to the Firdale Orthopedic Guild of Children's Hospital. Please sign an on-line memorial at washelli.com.
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