DeKALB – M. Maxine Stoddard, 95, of DeKalb, formerly of Malta, passed to her heavenly home Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012, in Pewaukee, Wis., where she had spent a wonderful day on Pewaukee Lake with her family.

Born Jan. 29, 1917, in Rising City, Neb., one of four daughters of Howard Gillis Doty and Ethel Anna (White) Doty, Maxine, as a small child, learned to recite the alphabet backwards to receive a nickel from her “Granddad Tom.” Maxine was a cheerleader for her high school and would break into one of her cheers when asked. She married her high school sweetheart, Ivan J. Stoddard, on Sept. 12, 1934, in York, Neb.

In 1937, Maxine and Ivan moved from Nebraska to Illinois – the Great Depression and drought made it impossible to continue farming in Nebraska. Maxine farmed with her husband in Illinois, and together they were a successful team. They enjoyed 73 years of marriage.