Maxine Heemstra

Leola Maxine Heemstra of Bartlesville, Oklahoma passed away on October 16, 2023. Maxine was born September 17, 1928 in Newkirk, Iowa to Peter and Gertrude Roos. She grew up with 5 sisters and 2 brothers on a farm near Newkirk. In 1944, a devastating tornado destroyed their homestead, but by the hand of God, Maxine and her family survived in a storm cellar. The Roos family lived in a new turkey coop for several months before moving to a farm near Ashton.

Maxine graduated from Hospers High School in 1945 and attended Northwestern Jr. College in Orange City, Iowa where she graduated with a teaching certificate. She loved teaching at Rock Rapids and Orange City and years later still remembered many of the names of her students.

Maxine and Ray Heemstra’s love story began in Orange City. They were first formally introduced at a banquet at Northwestern College. Later Maxine went to the drug store to purchase a hairbrush and Ray said she smiled at him. She had the sweetest smile! They were married on June 17, 1952 in the Bethel Reformed Church in Sheldon, Iowa, in a ceremony officiated by Ray’s father, Dr. Jacob Heemstra and Rev. Teusink. They spent their honeymoon in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The Rockies continued to be a family favorite for vacationing.

Maxine and Ray made their home in Bartlesville where Ray had been working for the Bureau of Mines. Maxine became a homemaker. Maxine and Ray had two children, Timothy and Laura. As a loving mother and wife, Maxine made a wonderful home environment where the whole family thrived as she supported them in all of their activities. As a family, they were active members of the First Presbyterian Church, where Maxine served wherever needed. She loved to take pictures, sew, and became accomplished at china painting. Maxine and Ray also enjoyed round dancing, attending the OK Mozart Festival, traveling to see family and shopping . In 2001 they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary a year early by taking in a tour of Canada, an Alaska cruise and riding in a helicopter where they walked out on a glacier. In 1998, Maxine and Ray attended a Presbyterian Cursillo weekend which began a Sunday evening Prayer and Share group that continued until 2020.

Maxine was preceded in death by her parents, parents-in-law Dr. Jacob and Hannah Heemstra, a brother and his wife Kenneth and Berdena Roos, 3 sisters and their husbands Nelvera and Abe Schiebout , Bernice and Fred Baker, Muriel and Harry Ostendorf, 2 brothers-in-law and their wives Frank and Marion Heemstra, John G. and Jean Heemstra, 2 brothers-in-law Al Kessel and Howard Heemstra, 3 nephews David Ostendorf, Nolan Schiebout and Bryan Roos, and niece-in-law Carolyn Lubbers.

Maxine is survived by Ray, her husband of 71 years, daughter Laura (Stephen) Matthews of Bedford, Texas, and son Timothy (Linda) Heemstra of Bartlesville, 3 grandchildren Tommy Lester, Rebecca Lester, Laura (Andrew) Tinsley, 5 great grandchildren Kylie (Tyler) Graumann, Katelyn, Lauren, Ashlyn and Makenna Tinsley, a great great granddaughter, Navy Jane Graumann, a brother Edwin (Beverly) Roos of Sheldon, Iowa, 2 sisters Gladys Kessel of Jenison, Michigan and Arlene (Chuck) Lubbers of Orange City, Iowa, 12 nephews John J. (Joan) Heemstra, Firman (Cheryl) Schiebout, Daryl (Sharron) Roos, Kent (Katie) Roos, Jay (Peggy) Roos, Rev. Randy Lubbers, Dan (Kavita) Lubbers, Dr. Jim (Cindy) Kessel, Tom (Leila) Kessel, Mark Ostendorf, Keith (Jill) Roos, Kory (Julie) Roos, 8 nieces Kris (Mike) Kirchgasler, Rev. Arlyce Schiebout, Dr. Denise Schiebout, Tammy (Norbert) Hettinga, Jana (Rick) Hanson, Lenae (Robbie) Harris, Karen Lubbers, Kim (Steve) Rhode, and 2 nieces-in- law Annette Schiebout and Lori Roos.

Maxine will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Her memory will forever be cherished in our hearts. Donations in her memory may be made to Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, in the Maxine Roos Heemstra scholarship fund.

Below is the link to the YouTube channel where Maxine Heemstra’s funeral will be livestreamed this Friday.

https://www.youtube.com/@firstpresbyterianchurchbar1935/streams