Maxine Knepper Ayres

Maxine Knepper Ayres Maxine Knepper Ayres age 92 of Thedford died March 1, 2012 at Linden Court following a brief hospitalization at North Platte. Funeral services will be held Monday March 5, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at the United Church of Christ in Thedford with Rev. Linda Martin officiating. Interment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Hillcrest Cemetery, the Life Center in Thedford, or the family would like to encourage everyone that is able to donate blood to the American Red Cross. Maxine was born September 15, 1919 at Mason City, NE to Hugh and Mary (Cordis) Elliott. The family moved to Thomas County in 1922 settling in the Antelope Valley area. In 1937 Maxine married Robert Knepper and this marriage was blessed with three children; Norma Jean, Robert Elliott and Edgar Lee. Maxine enjoyed many fond memories of her work at Thedford Livestock with her good friends Arlene Werner, Phyllis Figard and Leland Johnston. She married Morell Ayres December 26, 1989 and they enjoyed traveling, visiting family and friends until ill health kept them closer to home where they enjoyed coffee with friends at Stubs and a few games of cards. A loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother; Maxine was a devoted caregiver to her late husbands Robert and Morell. She is survived by her sister Evelyn Friel, of Nevada, MO, children Norma Jean and Jack Stevens of Rapid City, SD, Robert and Sharon Knepper of Loveland, CO, Lee Knepper of Cumberland, Iowa, grandchildren Jeff and Aida Stevens of Omaha, NE, Susan Stevens of Sturgis, SD, Gene Knepper of Cheyenne, WY, Richard Stevens of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Greg and Anne Stevens of Sidney, NE, great grandchildren Kelsey Stevens of Rapid City, SD, and Karalyn and Robert Stevens of Sidney, NE. She was preceded in death by husbands Robert Knepper and Morell Ayres; sisters Theodocia, Belle, Alice and Thelva; brother Harry and sister-in-law Tracy Elliott; infant great granddaughter Jerri Ann Stevens.