On February 7, 2009, pioneer, mother, and author, Maxine Dorothy DeVilbiss passed away in her home in Palmer after a struggle with cancer. She died 8 days short of her 85th birthday having been born February 15, 1924 in Foreston, Minnesota. Maxine arrived in Palmer with her husband Ralph and three children (Larry, Ray and Susan) to initially work at Victory Bible Camp and then Lazy Mountain Children's Home and they finally settled on their own homestead on Wolverine Creek in 1956. She mothered her own children and fostered about 40 other native children before she and Ralph adopted Brian and Billy from Korea.
Maxine was a a quiet but active force and founding member of Lazy Mountain Bible Church. For many years she managed the prayer chain- first a phone bank and then an extensive e mail chain. For many years hers was the voice that answered the Crisis Pregnancy Center hot line. She also recorded books for the blind from her living room.
The first book Maxine wrote was, "Billy's Story"- a 35 year journey with autism. Her second book was "Homesteading in Alaska"- the story of Wolverine Farm. The final days of her journey to Glory can be found at maxinedevilbiss.blogspot.com .
Maxine was preceded in death by her husband Ralph, her older sister Grace Swanson, and her daughter Susan Herr.
Maxine is survived by her older sister Francis Kerns in Yakima, Washington; her sons, Larry, Ray, Brian, and Billy; eleven grand children; and sixteen great grandchildren. There will be a celebration of life at Lazy Mountain Bible Church on February 16 at 1 PM. It was Maxine's desire that memorial gifts be made to your local church or favorite mission rather than flowers.
The photo of Maxine was a favorite of hers and taken recently by her 4 year old great grandaughter Talitha Hammond.
Arrangements by Cook Inlet Funeral Home
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