FOWLER – Maxine Middleswart, age 89, died Thursday afternoon, September 18, 2008, at the Fowler Nursing Home, Fowler, Kansas.

She was born May 29, 1919, at Russellville, Arkansas, the daughter of Frank and Annie (Ketchum) Godfrey. As a young girl she attended the Hobart, Oklahoma, school system, graduating from Hobart High School. After her education she began working as a cook on a ranch in rural Meade County where she met Reginald G. "Pink" Middleswart. The couple later married on October 21, 1939, at Fowler. A longtime resident of Fowler, she was a nurses aide having worked for the Fowler Hospital and later for the Fowler Nursing Home, retiring after 20 years of service.

She was a member of the Fowler Christian Church, Christian Matrons, Order of the Eastern Star, Rebekah Lodge, the Women of the Moose, and the American Legion Auxiliary. Maxine enjoyed bowling, playing bingo, and working word searches and puzzles.

She is survived by:
A son, Gail Middleswart of rural Fowler, Kansas

Two sisters, Mary Sumner of Hutchinson, Kansas
Eve Henson of Hobart, Oklahoma

Five grandchildren, Bret Middleswart of Oswego, Kansas, Kim Umbarger of Chanute, Kansas, Sean
Middleswart of Aurora, Colorado, Rachel Johnson of Oberlin, Kansas, and Teresa
Fisher of Topeka, Kansas

Eight great-grandchildren

She is preceded in death by her husband "Pink" on May 29, 1986; three sons, Dr. Jerry, Dale, and George Middleswart; two brothers, Odel and Earl Godfrey; and five sisters, Thelma Darrell, Lavina Fellers, Cleo Wisdom, Faye Brooks, and Christina Godfrey.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00p.m. Monday, September 22, 2008, at the Fowler United Methodist Church, Fowler. Friends may call from 12:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Sunday and from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Monday at Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade. Interment will be in the Fowler Cemetery.

The family would welcome memorials to the Fowler Nursing Home in care of the mortuary.