Rena "Maxine" Trabing, age 86, of Ankeny, Iowa passed away on Tuesday, October 12, 2021. Max was born March 5, 1935 in South Dakota to Cornelius and Hattie (Menning) Wilson. She graduated from Miller High School in South Dakota before marrying Marvin D. Trabing in 1953. Together they moved across the country but it wasn’t too long before they knew who they wanted to be near most; family. To Iowa they came. After having been a stay at home mom to their two children, Randy and Paula, for 16 years, Max went on to be the adored “lunch lady” at Ankeny High School when her husband passed away in 1972. She put in 35 wonderful years and made lasting memories for many kids throughout the community.
She enjoyed following her grandchildren in all of the activities be it dance, soccer, football, wrestling, softball, and school plays. Max liked going to the movies especially if it were a Harrison Ford flick. You could always find her with her sister and friends Sunday morning enjoying breakfast and chatting over coffee at their favorite Ankeny Cafe or Hy-vee. Most of all, Max lived for community and kindness. She strived to live each day to the fullest by leading in joy and unconditional love.
Left to cherish her memory include her children, Paula Larsen (Val) and Randall Trabing; grandchildren, Drake Larsen (Sarah), Teal Gruebele (Donovan), Woodie Larsen (Melissa), Randi Lea Krohn (Jake), Lindsay Trabing, and Austin Trabing (Emma); great-grandchildren, Benjamin Larsen, Austin Danielson, Robbie Larsen, Isla Gruebele, Cora Gruebele, Nira Larson, Belle Krohn, Dottie Krohn, and the Trabing twin boys are on the way.
Survived by her sister Norma Peterman (Walter), brother Jack Wilson (Sandy), brother George Wilson (Judy), and several nieces and nephews whom she enjoyed spending time with.
Max was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin and son Jack; parents, Corney and Hattie Wilson.
