Maxine Dickson

On the eighth day of March 2015, Mrs. Maxine E. Dickson, nee Marx, departed this world and her loving family to enter into God's grace. She is once again with her life-long partner and love, Hiram. She passed away peacefully in her sleep.

Maxine was born on March 18th, 1924, in Emporia Kansas and lived 90 years, 11 months. She was predeceased by her parents, Mr. Carl Hermann Marx of Emporia (1962) and her mother, Mrs. Nellie E. Sconce Marx (1976), and her life-long partner and loving husband of 65 years, Hiram B. Dickson (2010). For over seventy years they shared life's joys, hopes, and tribulations, including WW II while Hiram served in the South Pacific.

Maxine graduated from Roosevelt High School in Emporia and attended Emporia State University, graduating in 1945 with major in chemistry. During this time, she fulfilled an internship in medical technology in St. Luke's Hospital, Kansas City, MO, completing her studies in 1945. She became a fully registered Medical Technologist and worked at McPherson Hospital.

During the war years she had maintained an active correspondence with the love of her life, Hiram Dickson of Admire, KS, whom she had met at Baldwin Church Camp at age 15. She was his one and only love. They married upon his return on September 5, 1945. After brief years in Belleville, KS, then Emporia, while Hiram completed duty with the US Navy during the Korean War, they moved to Topeka KS in 1952. By that time, she had born three children, Richard, Kenneth, and Diane. She has lived in Topeka 52 years.

Maxine was an active, caring, professional woman. She found time to raise her three children and work as a Medical Technologist full time. When her children had grown, she returned to Washburn University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics, then a Master's Degree in Counseling and Guidance. For the ensuing thirteen years, she taught Child Development and Home Economics at Highland Park High School and frequently stated she thoroughly enjoyed that as a crowning achievement of her life.

She loved to travel and enjoyed wide experiences. She was an active outdoors person, enjoying tennis, golf, snow skiing and water skiing.

Professional organizations included the American Society of Clinical Pathologists-Medical Technologists, and she was on the Advisory Board of Nursing for the American Red Cross. Maxine enjoyed membership in P.E.O. and Shawnee Country Club. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Hideaway Village Home Owners' Association, Winter Park, CO.

The most important thing of all, however, to Maxine, was her husband and her family. She was a wonderful mother and a warm and nurturing grand-mother. She adored her children and grandchildren, was deeply influential in their lives, and was adored by them as well as "G'Ma". G'Ma taught them many valuable and wonderful lessons in life. She was Christian, and lived her life as such in an exemplary, giving manner. She is deeply missed.

She is survived by her daughter Mrs. Diane Dickson Mittenmeyer with son-in-law Ron of Florida, her sons, Richard C. Dickson MD of Tucson, AZ, and Kenneth C. Dickson, Attorney at Law with daughter-in-law Susan of Murrieta, CA. She is also survived by seven loving grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

A visitation will occur at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, Topeka, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 15, 2015, with Funeral Service on Monday, March 16, 2015, at 1:00 pm. at the funeral home. Interment follows at Reading Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to Brewster Place Service Fund, att. Employees Christmas Fund, 1205 SW 29th St, Topeka, KS 66611 or American Red Cross, 1221 SW 17th Street Topeka, KS 66604.