Maxine A. Manson

Maxine A. Manson, 94, of Rantoul, Kansas, passed away Saturday, February 20, 2016, at the Life Care Center of Osawatomie, Kansas. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, February 27, 2016, at Dengel & Son Mortuary. Family will meet with friends from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., Friday, February 26, 2016, at the mortuary. Interment Ruhamah Cemetery, Rantoul, Kansas. Maxine was born Tuesday, October 25, 1921, in Mazomanie, Wisconsin, the daughter of Russell and Germaine (Garrier) Unkenholz. She lived in California, Pennsylvania, and Olathe, Kansas, before moving in 1979 to Rantoul. Maxine was united in marriage with Owen Clay Manson May 10, 1946, in Kansas City, Kansas. He preceded her in death on February 15, 2000. She was also preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Raymond Unkenholz, Harry Unkenholz and wife Naomi, Ralph Unkenholz, and Don Unkenholz and wife Esther; two sons-in-law, Chuck Gibson and Mike Jensen; and grandson, Kevin Gibson. Survivors include her three children, Jack Manson and wife Lorna of Las Vegas, Nevada, Peggy Gibson of Shawnee, and Linda Jensen of Rantoul; sister-in-law, Ruth Unkenholz Harkins of Lenexa; nine grandchildren, Chuck Gibson Jr., Christine Van Gurp and husband Claude, Cheri Nutt and husband Jeff, Todd Gibson, Mike Jensen and wife Stacey, Andrea Manes and husband Rudy, Dick Jensen, Jason Manson and wife Kelly, and Melissa Gibson; nineteen great grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; many nieces and nephews; and seventy-two foster kids. Maxine was a devoted homemaker, caregiver, and foster mother for thirteen years raising seventy-two children. She was employed in 1950 as a seamstress for Gay Gibson in Kansas City, Missouri, and retired from Wal-Mart where she worked as a sales clerk in the fabric department. She was a member of Ruhamah Baptist Church, Evelena Chapter 435, Order of the Eastern Star in Lane, Meals on Wheels site manager in Rantoul, and the Get Together Club, a ladies quilting club in Rantoul. Maxine’s hobbies were sewing, raising chickens and gardening. She enjoyed all kids and loved spending time with her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandson. The family suggests memorial contributions to Franklin County Cancer Foundation c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Maxine’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com