Maxine I. Lester was born Jan. 13, 1928, in Woodland, Washington. Maxine passed away on Dec. 3, 2024. She was one month short of 97 at the time of her death.
She was raised in Amboy, Washington, and was the second oldest of five children. She attended Woodland High School and was salutatorian for her class. She received a scholarship to Washington State University. She was married in November 1948 to Howard Leon Lester, the love of her life. They were married for 53 years. Together, they had three sons. Maxine was a homemaker, farmer, writer and accountant. She worked hard on the family farm, side by side with her husband and sons.
She had a full and adventurous life. She traveled to Hawaii, Nova Scotia and Europe. She loved cruises. She was a seventh-degree national Grange member and a member of the Fargher Lake Grange for over 60 years. She was a member of Charter Oak Church. She also belonged to the View Homemakers and the Woodland Writing Club. She loved to enter contests in the fair and won many blue ribbons for her crocheting and embroidery projects. She adored her grandchildren and tried to make them all their own quilts.
She was preceded by her husband, Howard Leon Lester; her parents, Della and Eli Kumpula; and her brothers, Raymond (Bud) Kumpula, Donald Kumpula Sr. and John Kumpula.
She is survived by her sister, Barbara Hagedorn; sisters-in-law Marjoria Kumpula and Lynelle Kumpula; sons, Jim (Brenda) Lester, Tom (LeeAnn) Lester and Paul Lester; six grandchildren, Jake (Jan) Yochim, Eli (Riki) Lester, Stacia (David) Son, Michelle (Elijah) Stoller, Lindsey (Don) Bergeman and Jerad (Nichole) Lester; 10 great-grandchildren, Colby, Emma, Allyson, Kylie, Kayla, Khloe, Howard, Rhetledge, Mason and Hudson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service is planned for 11 a.m. Dec. 13, 2024, at Layne’s Funeral Home in Battle Ground, Washington. Interment will follow at Mt. View Cemetery followed by a light lunch at Fargher Lake Grange, 37813 NE Wiehl Road, La Center, Washington.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.
