Beverly Holman

Beverly “Maxine” Holman was freed from her battle with Alzheimers on June 29, 2023, and was welcomed to her heavenly home by her loving Savior, Jesus Christ, as well as her husband Ben.  She was 89 years old, two weeks shy of her 90th birthday.

Maxine was born the only child to Lee Roosevelt and Vesta (Divens) Halling on July 14, 1933 in Storm Lake, and was raised on the family farm outside Schaller.

Maxine graduated from Hays Consolidated School in 1951 and went on to further study at the prestigious Grunwald Lab School in St. Louis, Mo. After graduation, her first job led her to Winfield, Kan., at Snyder Clinic, where she met Dorothy (White) Holman, who introduced her to her big brother, Emery Ben Holman. After a quick dating and engagement period, they were first married on March 1, 1954 in Iowa and again on March 15 in Oxford, Kan., allowing each family to attend a wedding ceremony. Their wedding in Oxford was held at Slate Valley Baptist Church, where they had their first date.

Their early years of marriage had them on the road doing custom cutting work, traveling in a trailer from Texas to South Dakota. They settled in Winfield, where they raised their three children (Beverly, Micheal and Kathy) and a neighborhood of other kids who played in their big backyard on Broad Street.

After the kids were in school, Maxine went back to work at her chosen profession of lab technician. Over the years, she worked at Snyder Clinic, William Newton Hospital and finally at Winfield Medical Arts, where she set up their lab service. She was proud to claim she could draw blood without bruising her patients and could do it without making children cry. She was an early modern day mother, creating a home while also working in a profession that helped provide for her family.

Maxine would tell you her greatest joy was her faith and her family. She was a devoted daughter, wonderful wife, amazing mother and grandmother. As a daughter, she cared for her mother and mother-in-law until they passed. As a wife, she showed her family how to love and respect each other in marriage, and in sickness and health. As a mother, she was her children’s biggest fan and supported each of them in each of their unique interests in life. As a grandmother, she loved each grandchild, relishing the times to bake, sew, play games, celebrate birthdays and watch games, concerts and dance recitals.

She was proud of her local community and always looked for ways to serve and volunteer.  Maxine was an active member in her church, serving as deaconess, AWANA leader and Sunday School teacher for many years, where generations of other families would lovingly refer to her as “Grandma Maxine.” She loved her special role as a prayer partner for teen girls. She served as community leader and board member supporting local 4-H. She loved being in Eastern Star and served two times as Worthy Matron and in district offices. At Eagles Nest, she taught young women cooking, sewing and parenting classes, and worked to make a difference in their lives.

Maxine loved cooking for people. She always made the best treats for kids’ parties. Family meals and gatherings were always the best when Maxine brought her BBQ meatballs, rolls and desserts. She was known as the cake lady for many years. Her very first cake was for her parents’ 40th wedding anniversary. For years after, she baked and decorated cakes for birthdays, showers and weddings, and special family events, but her favorites were always decorating the themed birthday cake every year for her kids and grandkids.

Maxine had a servant’s heart. She loved caring for people. She cared for many widowed friends to help keep them in their homes longer. Her heart was with families and young children. Her family continues to hear stories from people in Winfield of how she would bring their families meals to help during difficult times.

Maxine was preceded in death by her parents, in-laws, and husband Ben. Maxine and Ben were married almost 60 years, as Ben passed away two months before their 60th anniversary.

Those surviving her include her three children: Dr. Beverly Holman (Dr. Danny) Rogers of Manhattan, Kan.; Micheal (Dianna) Holman of Columbus, Kan.; Kathy (Justin) Waite of Winfield, Kan.; her seven grandchildren: Ashleigh (Dustin) Mengarelli of Topeka, Kan.; Joe (Ashton) Holman of Chanute, Kan.; Arista (Cameron) Groom of Winfield, Kan.; Logan Waite of Pontiac, Mich.; Jared (Allie) Rogers of Manhattan, Kan.; Nick Holman of Webb City, Mo.; and Anna Holman of Columbus, Kan.; her nine great-grandchildren: Cooper and Keaton Mengarelli; Elyana and Alexys Holman; Ensley and Oakley Groom; Myles Rogers; and Kayleigh and Skilyn Watkins; her one brother-in-law, Edgar Fox of Springfield, Mo.; and many loving nieces, nephews and friends. The family also wants to thank the many caregivers at Presbyterian Manor who cared for her over the last eight years. You were a blessing to her and to our family.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 6, at 10 a.m., at Cornerstone Bible Fellowship Church. Interment will follow at Oxford Cemetery. A visitation is scheduled at Miles Funeral Service on Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. The family will greet visitors from 4-7 that evening.

To honor her memory, we ask that her friends and family perform an act of kindness for someone or find a way to serve in your community. Memorials have been established in Maxine’s honor for Cornerstone Bible Fellowship Church and Eagles Nest. Contributions may be made through the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.milesfuneralservice.com.