Siegel, Maxine

Maxine Siegel, 87, died Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011, at Virginia Gay Nursing and Rehab in Vinton, with her family by her side, following an extended illness. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel, 212 E. Sixth St., Vinton, with Pastor Jim Blair officiating. Private committal services will be at Evergreen Cemetery, Vinton. Friends may call at the funeral home from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Maxine is survived by daughters, Roxanne (Dennis) Higgins and Becky (Duane) Walthart, both of Vinton; grandchildren, Anthony Gabrielson of Chicago, Brian (Laura) Walthart of Iowa City and Natalie Walthart of St. Louis, Mo.; great-grandchildren, Jackson and Megan Walthart of Iowa City; stepgranddaughter, Michelle Medberry of Marion; sisters, Nadine Cliburn and Neville Anderson, both of Centertown, Mo; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jack N. Siegel on July 16, 1993; and her brothers, Robert and Pete Wilson.

Maxine was born Nov. 16, 1923, at Russellville, Mo., to Mike and Edith (Crawford) Wilson, and graduated from high school in Centertown, Mo., in 1941. In 1956, she received a Trained Practical Nursing degree at Post Graduate Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago. When Jack N. Siegel came home to Vinton after serving his nation in the military he returned with his beautiful bride. Jack and Maxine were married June 27, 1946, at Albert Lee, Minn. Maxine pursued her nursing career at Virginia Gay Hospital before she and Jack began their long ownership and management of Café 218 in Vinton. Many generations remember the warm greetings the couple extended to their customers and still fondly remember those Tootsie Rolls and candy bars Maxine gave to everyone who ate at the cafe.

From 1970 to 1974, Maxine was known as Vinton's “First Lady” when husband Jack served as Vinton's mayor. She was a longtime member of the Vinton American Legion Auxiliary and a past member of the Vinton Country Club.

Her compassion and generosity was extended to anyone when she learned they needed a helping hand. Many Vintonians were grateful recipients of her famous soup, food and rolls. She was proud to have once served on the only all female jury in Benton County.

If a social gathering lacked entertainment, Maxine would agree to share her love of music by playing the piano and leading people in song. Her love of life was obvious at the local grocery store where customers would often hear her whistling happily as she shopped.

Her memory will be cherished by members of her community and especially by those who loved her as their adoring and wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

A memorial fund has been established.

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