Helen "Maxine" Burks

Helen "Maxine" (Sandholm) Burks, age 95, of Des Moines, Iowa, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on February 8, 2026. She was born March 21, 1930, in Dayton, Iowa to Harry and Frances Sandholm, on their family farm.

Maxine graduated from Dayton High School in 1948. Following graduation, she moved to Des Moines to attend the American Institute of Business, and afterwards, she worked for The Retail Credit Union for nine years.

Maxine met her future husband Gordon E. Burks, at the Tromar Ballroom in downtown Des Moines. They were united in marriage on May 17, 1956, and their twin daughters, Brenda and Linda, were born in 1959. Maxine and Gordon worked together for over thirty years as small business owners of eight laundromats, a Speed Queen Commercial Distributorship, and the first coin-operated car wash in the Des Moines Metro

Area.

As a member of Westover Baptist Church for sixty years, Maxine filled many roles in her church, including as a representative of the American Baptist Women's Association, the Executive Committee, Friendship Chain, Women's Circle, Bible School, and organizing funeral luncheons.

In her spare time Maxine enjoyed reading, cross-stitching, baking, keeping up with current events, and spending time with her family. She was a Bluebird and Campfire leader.

Maxine is survived by her twin daughters: Brenda Burks of Des Moines, Iowa and Linda (John) Benner of Naperville, Illinois; a granddaughter, Kendra Benner of Mount Prospect, Illinois; a sister Irene Draper of Oregon, Wisconsin, a brother, Michael Sandholm of Boone, Iowa, a sister, Susan (Larry) Ohge of Tuscan, Arizona, and a sister-in-law, Sybil Lee of Lebanon, Tennessee, and many nieces and nephews.

Maxine was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon Burks; parents, Harry and Frances Sandholm; parents-in-law Ernest and Bessie Burks; sister Doris Eastberg; brother Maurice Sandholm; sister Darlene Sandholm; brother Earl Sandholm, in childhood; and the following brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Ernie Eastberg, Carol Sandholm, Rusty Draper, Ben Beyer, JoAnn Sandholm, Ella Naomi Burks, in infancy, Vernon Burks, Miriam Burks, Henry Goins, Everene Goins, A.G. Gray, Edna Gray, Loyce Burks, James Lee, and nephews; Kevin Sandholm, Craig Beyer, Wayne Gray, and niece, Sandra Eastberg.

Maxine’s family would like to thank Unity Point Hospice Care and a special acknowledgment to Friends Home Care and Hospice Care for their compassionate loving care during her final days. Memorial contributions may be directed to Westover Baptist Church.