Maxine L. Means

Our beloved Mom, Grandma, and Great Grandma, Maxine Lila Means, 87, of Sunnyside, Washington passed away December 5, 2024 at Willow Springs Nursing Home. She was born on March 27, 1937, to Frank and Alvera (Wachter) Wachter of Hader, Nebraska. Her parents were of no relation, and her dad would always joke that he was the “pure bread” Wachter. She was the third of four kids.

On April 29, 1956 she married the love of her life, Gene Means, in Hader, Nebraska. Shortly after marriage they moved to Washington, where they followed Grandpa’s family. Grandma and Grandpa were blessed with four boys, Doug, Dave, Rodney, and Todd. Grandma worked a few different jobs, aside from taking care of Grandpa and the four boys. She worked at Morris Floral, sold Real Estate for a bit, Ace Hardware, and her most recent job prior to retiring was working for the Sunnyside School District as a cook. After she retired, she would go to work with Grandpa on his newspaper route. Grandma was well loved by all that knew her.

Grandma was definitely nothing short of amazing. She kept a tidy house, stayed active in Calvary Lutheran Church with activities, such as making pies with the church ladies and singing in the choir, and when the grandkids were old enough, she taught them many life essentials such as cooking, baking, cleaning, sewing, and keeping the house looking nice on the outside. She would do many other things with the grandkids like coloring, telling us stories about our dad’s or her growing up, watching movies, and if we got out of line, she would read us the Bernstein Bear’s book “Forget their Manners”. She also enjoyed many other things such as camping with friends when her kids were young, coffee dates at McDonald’s with Donna, and watching her grandkids and great grandkid’s sporting events prior to her stroke in December of 2018.

Grandma is survived by her sister Lareen (Ralph) Middlestaedt of Nebraska, her son’s Doug (Becky) Means of Rochchester, WA, Dave (Lori) Means of Ellensburg, WA, Rodney Means of Richland, WA, and Todd (Audra) Means of Sunnyside, WA; her grandchildren Bambi (Matt), Janine (Les), and Jacob; Nathan, Bradley (Sierra), Natalie, Amanda, Landon, and Ryan; Melissa, and Matt; Kelsea (Jeff) and Shana (Leevi); and 15 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband of 65 years, Gene Means, her brother and sister-in-law, Frank (Bub) and Lavon Wachter, her sister and brother-in-law Phyllis and Lon Morotz.

The family would like to thank the staff at Willow Springs Nursing Home for the care that was provided the last several years.

Viewing and visitation will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Smith Funeral Home, Sunnyside, WA.  A graveside service will be held on Thursday, December 12, 2024 at the Lower Valley Memorial Gardens, Sunnyside, WA at 11:00 a.m.    Those wishing to sign Maxine's online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com  Smith Funeral Home is in care of arrangements. 

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