Maxine Vera (Jamieson) Spenner

Maxine Vera (Jamieson) Spenner, 88, of La Porte, Indiana passed away Sunday, October 27, 2019.

Maxine was born on November 26, 1930, in Crown Point, Indiana to Ray and Gladys (Wylie) Jamieson. On August 7, 1954, Maxine married Gene Spenner.

Maxine was the 1948 Valedictorian at Tefft High School and graduated from Ball State University with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Physical Education and Business Education.  She was a public school educator for St. Joseph, La Porte, Porter and Lake Counties and college instructor at St. Mary’s College, Nortre Dame, Indiana, as well as several campuses of Ivy Tech.

Maxine was a member of Door Village United Methodist Church. She also served as a Board member of the Door Village Cemetery for many years.  She was a member of Post 83 American Legion Auxiliary where she served as Sergeant of Arms, and then became the service officer.  The Auxiliary collected yarn and knitted slippers, and provided clothing for military service members who were hospitalized. She belonged to the Scipio Township Farm Bureau, served as treasurer and was the representative on the Township Staff Council.

Maxine was the president of the La Porte County Home Extension from 1983 – 1985.  In 1987, she was a founding member of the La Porte Literacy Coalition and served as president for four years and later served as secretary.  In the 1980’s she belonged to Women’s Democrat Club of La Porte where she served in several capacities, including election poll worker for many years.  She was very active with the Michigan City Power Squadron where she served in many capacities, and received a 25-year pin and the Clarence Moore award.

In her 8th decade she continued to have public service in mind and ran for Indiana State Senator.

Maxine is survived by two sons, Dean (Ruth Dwyer) Spenner of Indianapolis, and Richard (Jill) Spenner also of Indianapolis; two grandchildren, Allison Smith and Emily Knudsen; one great-grandson, Conrad Smith; and a second great-grand child arriving in the Spring of 2020.  Maxine is also survived by six siblings, many nieces and nephews, and several friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and eight siblings.

Visitation will be from 9-11:30 a.m. C.S.T. Friday, November 1, 2019, at Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, 1117 Indiana Avenue, La Porte, Indiana.  Funeral services will follow at 11:30 a.m. C.S.T. in the funeral home. Pastor Bob Denney will officiate. Burial will follow in Door Village Cemetery.

Please share prayers, condolences, and memories with the family at Essling Funeral Home.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to The New Day Foundation, P.O. Box 13, La Porte, Indiana 46352-0013.  Or The Columbus Indiana Children's Choir, 4600 Sunset Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208, or on line at www.icchoir.org

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