Lila “Maxine” Plett

Lila “Maxine” Plett passed away November 2, 2010 in Snowflake, Arizona at 94 years of age. She lived a full and active life until she joined her husband, Wilbur Ehrig Plett who preceded her in death in 1982. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Harold and Garold Read and her parents, John J. and Ollie Read of Gladbrook, Iowa. She leaves her daughter Ann M. (Plett); son-in-law, William “Bill” Curtis of Concho, Arizona; granddaughter, Tracy Ann (Thompson) Bankhead; grandson-in-law, James Bankhead; great-grandsons, Bo and Cody Bankhead of Apache Junction, Arizona. Maxine’s passion in life was geography and travel. She and her husband were able to travel to every continent in the world and many more than once. She shared her slides and travel itineraries with Prospectors Group in Anchorage, church functions, friends and other groups that invited her to share. Maxine was active in a number of fraternal organizations including: Women of the Moose, Pioneers of Alaska – Anchorage Igloo, Legion Auxiliary, Spenard and Soldotna Lions and VFW Women’s Auxiliary. She was recognized by the Alaskan Pioneers Society of Anchorage, Providence Hospital Auxiliary (old “L” Street Hospital), the Alaska Regional Hospital Auxiliary for years of volunteering and by the Cooperative Extension Service University of Alaska Fairbanks for “her long term participation as a volunteer leader in Home Economics programs and in recognition for her efforts dedicated to improving the quality of life for families in her community” (Elauret Club 25 years service). She acted as church secretary at Woodland Park Presbyterian Church in the 1950-60’s, and as a Welcoming Host for the Anchorage School District in the 1950’s. She taught in one room schools in Iowa and in various grade schools in Anchorage, Alaska, also serving as a President of the Anchorage Teachers Association. She left her teaching career to assist her husband at his International Building Supplies Lumberyard. Aside from travel, her love was Alaska, where after leaving Anchorage, she moved to Soldotna where she and Bill built a home on the Kenai River. There they were very active in the Soldotna Senior Center. She will be missed by her family and friends but is now at peace with her husband in heaven. There will not be a public ceremony and the family asks that anyone wishing to contribute to her memorial, do so, in her name to the charity of their choice. For those who have special memories and would like to send private condolences or sign our online guest book, we invite you to visit our website at www.owenslivingstonmortuary.