Memorial Service

 

In Loving Memory  

Maxine DeVilbiss 

 

February 15, 1924 

February 7, 2009 

 

Memorial Service 

 

Lazy Mountain Bible Church 

February 16, 2009 

1:00 p.m.

   Maxine DeVilbiss 

 

  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 Wolver- 

ine 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 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 grand- 

children.  There will be a celebration of life at Lazy 

Mountain Bible Church on February 16 at 1 p.m.  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 granddaughter Talitha 

Hammond.

 Memorial Service 

Maxine DeVilbiss 

Monday, February 16, 2009 

 

Piano Prelude Evangeline Alexander 

 

Welcome and Prayer Pastor Dave Kenny  

  

Congregational Singing  I’ll Fly Away 

 Hymn #554  

  

Eulogy Goodbye Maxine - Hello Jesus 

 Larry DeVilbiss 

 

Tributes & Remembrances  Pastor Dave Kenny 

 

Special Music  Finally Home 

 John & Margaret Loew  

 

Finally Home 

 

When alarmed by the fury of the restless sea; 

Towering waves before you roll. 

At the end of doubt and peril is eternity, 

Tho fear and conflict seize your soul. 

 

When surrounded by the blackness of the darkest night 

O how lonely death can be 

At the end of this long tunnel is a shining light, 

For death is swallowed up in victory! 

 

Just think of stepping on shore and finding it heaven!  

Of touching a hand and finding it God's! 

Of breathing new air and finding it celestial! 

Of waking up in glory and finding it home! 

 

Scripture Reading Ray DeVilbiss 

 

Congregational Singing It Is Well with My Soul 

 Hymn #493   

 

Closing Thoughts Pastor David Dahms 

 

Benediction  

 

 Lazy Mountain Bible Church 

16005 E Shawn Dr;  Palmer, Alaska  99645 

Office:  745-2611  -  Fax:  745-1952 

www.lazymountainbiblechurch.org 

 e-mail:  office@lazymountainbiblechurch.org  

I'll Fly Away– Hymnal page #554 

 

Some glad morning when this life is oer, I'll fly away. 

To a home on God's celestial shore, I'll fly away. 

 

When the shadows of this life have gone, I'll fly away. 

Like a bird from prison bars has flown, I'll fly away. 

 

Just a few more weary days and then, I'll fly away. 

To a land where joys shall never end, I'll fly away. 

 

Chorus: 

 

I'll fly away, O glory, I'll fly away. 

When I die, hallelujah, by and by, I'll fly away. 

 

It is Well With My Soul - Hymnal page # 493 

 

When peace like a river attendeth my way 

When sorrows like sea billows roll 

What ever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, 

"It is well, it is well with my soul." 

 

Though Satan should buffet, tho' trials should come 

Let this blest assurance control, 

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, 

And hath shed His own blood for my soul. 

 

My sin- O, the bliss of this glorious thought,  

My sin- not in part but the whole, 

Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more, 

Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, O my soul! 

 

And, Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, 

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll, 

The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend, 

"Even so" it is well with my soul. 

 

Chorus:  

 

It is well...with my soul, 

It is well, it is well with my soul. 

Please join the family at a potluck reception to be held  

immediately following the service.