Maxine Aarestad

maxine aarestad

Maxine L. Aarestad, 88, Spring Valley, MN formerly Fargo, died Wednesday, in Spring Valley Care Center.

Maxine was born on August 19, 1923 the daughter of William and Mabel (Deal) Voss.  She grew up in Campbell, MN.  After graduating from Campbell High School she attended Wahpeton State School of Science.  She was employed at Northwestern Sheet and Iron Works in Wahpeton, ND, where she met her husband, Selmer "Sam" Aarestad.  They were married on July 22, 1944 in Breckenridge, MN.  They moved to Fargo in 1947.  He worked as a credit manager at Northwestern Equipment.  Sam and Maxine had fifty years together.  He passed away in 1994.

Maxine devoted her life to her faith, her husband, and her family.  She always had an open home for their ministers and friends.  She had many hobbies and taught piano lessons until was eighty years old.  At that time she moved to Spring Valley, MN to be near her daughter.  She spent her last few years in Spring Valley Care Center.

She is survived by three sons, Jerry (Becky) Escondido, CA, Randy (Patty), Ontario, OR, Robert (Joyce) Washington, IL; a daughter, Janet (James) Crussel, Spring Valley, MN; one sister, Idella (Wallace) Vorwerk, Moorhead, MN; 12 grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.

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  1. Our families have been long time friends, as long as I can remember! Many long years of special fellowship together as we children grew up together across town. Thankful for the love and mercy He has shown us along the way of life.

  2. West Fargo ND
    We have special memories of living as neighbors in north Fargo…going to Sam and Maxine’s for Bible study, golfing with them, back and forth as neighbors. They were always such safe company…positive influences in our lives! We appreciated them very much. Sorry to miss the service…our thoughts were your way fr Arizona on Saturday. Love, Richard and Clarice

  3. Phoenix AZ
    Sam and Maxine counted as extended family with Harry and Jean Wheeler, my parents from Breckenridge. The highlight of my growing up years was the week both families rented cabins at either Blanche Lake or on Ottertail Lake. What fun we had together for years and years. A trip to Fargo was never complete without seeing your family and I think my sister JoAnn Peterson roomed with your folks when she first worked in Fargo until she and our sister Marilyn shared an apartment of their own. Both the Deal and Voss names are familiar because I went to school in Breckenridge and probably with relatives with those names from the Campbell area. My dad was also born in Campbell. My good friend from Moorhead sent me your moms obituary and knew her name sounded familiar and must have been someone I knew. We went to Moorhead State together in 1959-1961 so she would have heard me talk about the Aarestads. Maxine and Sam…very special people…..my love to their family.

  4. Plattsburgh NYWe shared a lot of holidays together, it seems, when I was a kid. Those family gatherings for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter are memorable times with lots of food and fun.

  5. Litchville North Dakota
    Sorry to hear of Maxines passing. We have special memories of Sam and Maxine. Especially our days at Hunter convention. Time spent helping in the pantry good fellowship at a good place. Our deepest sympathy. Gene and Laurine

  6. DeQueen ArkansasDear Jim, Jan and family, Thinking of you today and feeling so far away! Would have loved to have been at your Mom’s funeral. We have many precious memories of times in their home and encouragement from their faithful lives and love for the Truth! Please know we care and love you. Special hugs as you go through this difficult time. Lyn and Jim

  7. Rochester MN
    Jim, Jan and family: We think of you at this time. It was nice get to know your mother a little. She was a lovely lady, and always had a smile when we would see her.

  8. Estelline SDSpecial memories of our aunt! Thinking of you all – I wish AZ
    weren’t so far away.
    Joyce and Roger Wermers

  9. Fountain MnDear Jim and Jan,
    Heaven’s gain, a sweet, caring soul and I am thankful for meeting her when she came to live with you in Spring Valley. Her example of caring for others passed on to you you took care of her when she needed you.
    With thoughts of Love,
    Holly

  10. Kokomo INThinking of you all at this time with special memories of sweet fellowship with Sam and Maxine. They always encouraged us to Keep True to God by Being True to Him and Loving His Way!
    May God’s Presence comfort you. With Love and Care, Sharon Rostad

  11. Essexville MIDear Jim and Jan,
    Never knew Maxine welll, but always found her to be interesting and special. Moy thoughts are with you. Love, as always.

  12. Durango COWe had good days in Fargo with Sam and Maxine when I started in the Work there with Virgie Lacy in 1977. I was in Fargo a few years after that as well and their home and hearts were always open. Remembering you and sharing in your loss. With Love, Care, and Sympathy

  13. fargo ndMaxine was a dear friend of mine since the day I graduated and roomed at her home in Fargo. I roomed there for to go to business school. They had good rules for all us girls to abide by for which I am greatful. Janet and Jerry you were just little at this time. My blessings and prayers go out to all the family. Carol Haskin

  14. Mechanicsburg ILDear Family,
    Thinking of you at this time with love and
    sympathy. We remember good times
    with Maxine when she lived in Fargo…always an open door.

  15. Fountain MnDear Jim and Jan,
    This is what Maxine lived for. We also live for the day when we can finish right and this hope is all we need at times when loved ones leave us so soon.Take time to mourn.
    We love you,Dan and Sally

  16. Fairbanks AlaskaJan, I thought I’d share some notes I took while I was visiting with your mother in the nursing home just before I left for AK in 09. She was going through notes she had taken over the years. I jotted down some of the gems she shared with me. These words are an expression of your mothers heart towards our Father and all else in the struggle.

    It’s not our position that makes us happy, but our disposition. She then said ” sounds like it’s up to us whether we’re happy or not ”

    Friends multiply joy and divide sorrow.

    When you’re through changing, you’re through.

    Interesting people are people who are interested.

    Hope is one of the gifts of God. There is hope for each tomorrow. Hope is a desire with the expectation of fulfillment. Maxine said her husband said this in 93

    Don’t search for flaws in others, instead, search for love.

    Love is what you’ve been through with somebody.

    Always feeling our need is the awareness through which help comes.

    Will be thinking of you and your family in the coming days. jc

  17. Langdon ND
    It saddens me greatly to hear of Maxine’s death. She was a pioneer and pillar of the North Dakota
    Music Teachers Association and served as a mentor to so many of our members including me. She was an inspiration and encouragement to new teachers of piano and we are indebted to her for all that she gave to us. She was a ‘classy’ lady and we all looked up to her. We extend our sympathies to her family.

    Kathleen Johnson
    President ND
    MTA

  18. ST AUGUSTA MN
    Our thoughts go to all of you in hearing of your mom’s passing. We always appreciated her faithful life. We appreciated the years of going to the fellowship meeting in their home. We understand the price better as we get older. Our thoughts will be with you from FL.

  19. Oshkosh WIVERY special thoughts are going your way these days. I so wish I could be at Maxine’s funeral…she and Sam were SUCH an encouragement to me my years in the Work in Fargo. I love her memorial picture…her dear little friend, Dolly! It would be very special to see all of you! Please know I will be with you in spirit. Sincerely, Gwen Aarestad

  20. Our dear Maxine, has been released from her earthly body – what a glorious day for her. She was such a sweetie. Even when she was so forgetfull, she brought such good spiritual bread to meetings – just amazing what God gives a person that is so willing.

    It was such a delight to visit with her a few times at the care center and see how she whould brighten up when speaking about those that had been in her/their home. One time she was so concerned as to whether or not Duane and I had a place for the night, and she invited us to stay “with them”, as she was still willing for an open home. OH! that lovely contenance.

    Our thoughts are with you as we understand the sense of saying an earthly good bye to the last living parent. We’re thankfull heaven holds so dear a welcome to those that have lived for Christ and not self.

  21. Moscow IdahoWe enjoy many fond memories of your mom in her better years…that twinkle in her eye and her great laugh. I am thankful for another faithful example to the very end of her capability. And also your example of care and patience and love through it all. Many thoughts of love go your way at this time.

  22. Stewartville MN
    We just got home from Bible Study and I learned of your mom’s passing. Our thoughts are with you at this time. Sincere sympathy to you. I surely enjoyed getting to know her a when we were in MN
    . She was one great lady and she will be missed by all who knew her.


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