Maxine Lillian Berntson

Maxine Lillian Berntson, 85, entered eternal life on Sunday, June 21, 2015. Maxine was born to John Wheeler & Eva Grace (Barney) Evans on January 29, 1930 in Faribault, MN. It was a cold snowy day. Maxine’s father knew it was a long ride from the farm into town so he bundled his wife up in blankets for the long horse & sleigh ride into town. Maxine was born at the hospital and spending very little time there Maxine’s father repeated the process of bundling his wife and now newborn baby up for the long ride home.

When Maxine was a young child her father accepted a position at Wilson & CO meat packing plant in Albert Lea, MN. Maxine graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1947. Soon after she met Wallace Walter Berntson and they were married in 1950 at the First Methodist Church, Albert Lea, MN.

Maxine worked at First National Bank in Albert Lea until Wally was drafted into the U.S. Army. She followed him to Camp McCoy, WI. The winters were harsh. With 52” of snow and temps at 30 below zero Wally took part in bivouac maneuvers to prepare himself for deployment to the Korean War. One night Wally and another soldier were so cold and wanted to warm up that they snuck away and hiked to the trailer that Wally & Maxine lived in. When Wally knocked on the door Maxine was startled and would not open the door as she did not recognize the men in their field gear. Upon reassuring Maxine that it was indeed Wally, the two men warmed themselves in the trailer for a short time. Maxine drove them back near their camp without using the cars headlights so as not to attract attention.

There next duty station was at Camp Carson in Colorado Springs. So they loaded up the trailer and were happy to leave the frigid temps in Wisconsin. While in Colorado Wally was discharged from the Army without having to serve in the Korean War. They loaded up the trailer and headed back to their hometown, Albert Lea, MN. They both were anxious to return to be near their mothers and family. They parked the trailer in Wally’s sister’s back yard and stayed for two years. They were pulled back to Colorado Springs due to the mild climate and beautiful Pikes Peak so they decided to give Colorado Springs another try. Again, they loaded up the trailer and upon arriving in Colorado Springs they lost brakes on their car and only could use the transmission in low gear. Using the brakes from the trailer they were pulling they stopped at the nearest mechanic. Wally explained that they were new in town, did not have money to pay for the repairs and had not secured jobs yet. The mechanic looked at Wally and said, “I will fix your vehicle but I want you to go get a job and make payments to pay this debt. Wally and Maxine found jobs and they did pay for the repairs. Maxine had experience working at a bank so she secured a positon at First National Bank in Colorado Springs.

Using Wally’s VA loan they purchased their first home for $11,500. They were there a short time as their real dream was to design and build their own home. They purchased a site and hired a couple guys to pour a foundation. With just a shell completed and boarded up windows they moved into what would be their first of three homes they would build together. To finish off the exterior of the house they laid 10,000 brick which took them 3 years to complete. The construction site was a muddy mess so they removed their shoes prior to entering the house and placed them outside at night. One morning Wally was in the car waiting for Maxine when he heard a loud scream. Maxine was at the front door attempting to put on her shoes when she pulled out a dead mouse from the toe of her shoe.

Both Maxine and Wally secured new positions with the Civil Service at Ft. Carson. They sold their now completed house and purchased a house to live while they planned their second build. By this time Maxine was becoming proficient in wiring a house and together they nearly did all the work themselves.

For a great escape they enjoyed taking their pickup truck and camper deep into the mountains. Upon finding a camp site they would load up their backpacks and hike to a fishing spot. Spend several hours there and hike back to camp for the night. They enjoyed camping so much that they joined the Good Sams Camping Club. There they made long term friendships and had many adventures.

They also enjoyed fall trips back to Albert Lea, MN. where Wally spent time working on his mother and sisters project “lists”. Maxine would visit with her family including her mother and brother who lived in town. Along with many nieces and nephews.

Around 1980 Wally retired and Maxine quit her Civil Service position and they decided to build a third house using a similar floor plan of the house they were living in. They choose an area called Crystal Park. They were the first to build in Sutherland Creek. With a creek running beside their road and the peacefulness of the area. They felt like this was home. They lived there for 35 years.

They supplemented their income selling Shaklee products. They did so well for a number of years that they earned 3 new cars. Along with increasing their Shaklee business Maxine worked as the secretary and treasurer for Crystal Park and was instrumental in many aspects of developing the park.

Wally & Maxine moved to the Village at Skyline in June 2013. Maxine had run a bible study there prior to moving in and continued the bible study as a resident. She committed 16 years to that calling.

Maxine was strong in her faith and always there to lend a helping hand. Maxine was a long time active member of First United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs. She taught Sunday School, lead Bible Studies and was an active in the Mary Martha Circle while holding various committee positions.

Survivors include her husband Wally, sisters, Ethel Kaplan and Dorothy Christiansen, and brother, Robert (Lila) Evans. She is preceded in death by brothers Kenneth and Donald, and sisters Catherine Greenwood and Shirley Whitehurst.

A frequent saying often heard from Maxine was, “Thanks a Million”. As we say goodbye ~ Your family and friends would like to say “Thanks A Million Maxine” for your love, guidance and compassion. Your journey on earth is done ~ Well done, good and faithful servant.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10 am, Thursday, June 25, 2015 at the Village at Skyline, 2365 Patriot Heights, Colorado Springs, CO 80904 followed by a viewing from 12-2 pm at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home Chapel, 3825 Airport Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80910. She will be laid to rest in a private family ceremony at Memorial Gardens Cemetery. To sign the guest book, go to www.dignitymemorial.com.