Maxine Louise McAllister Koll was born on February 8, 1935 in the family home in Gregory County, South Dakota near Spencer Nebraska. Maxine was the ninth of ten children born to James and Mary McAllister.
Maxine attended grade school in one-room schoolhouses in Spencer District 76 and 47 (each housing all eight grades). She graduated from Spencer High School and afterwards attended Norfolk Beauty School where she became a cosmetologist. Maxine supported herself for 10 years, working her way from Ponca, Nebraska to Omaha by working in several salons and then owning her own beauty shop. Maxine met her future husband, Bob Koll, through a beauty shop customer who played bridge with Bob’s parents. Maxine and Bob were married on February 13, 1965. She then joined Bob in Springfield, Illinois, where he was working as an electrical engineer for Sangamo Weston (later Schlumberger Industries). Two daughters, Kelley and Kasey, were born there. Maxine owned and operated a thriving beauty shop in their Springfield home until 1973 when Bob was transferred to West Union, South Carolina. In South Carolina, Maxine continued her entrepreneurial activities, running or working in a variety of businesses, while pursuing hobbies and providing service to others. She continued to have a home beauty salon, managed and worked in several restaurants, was a partner in the Flowerland II florist shop, and worked as a caregiver for two of her friends. In 1982, Maxine fulfilled a life-long dream of becoming an auctioneer, graduating from a class of 14 auctioneers, one of only two women in the class. She continued to take classes at the area technical school for many years including classes in painting, floral design and belly dancing. She also loved to travel and went on many exciting adventures including Rome, Australia, Germany and numerous US destinations. When her husband Bob developed Alzheimer's, Maxine cared for him in-home for several years until his death on March 4, 2013. Maxine and Bob were married for just over 48 years. In 2017, she decided to move closer to her children. As her new home, Maxine chose Mount Vernon Village in Sandy Springs, Georgia, where she took up residence on February 7, 2018, the day before her 83rd birthday. Maxine became fast friends with many of her neighbors, becoming affectionately known as “The Queen of the Village.” Continuing her outreach to others, Maxine always had a birthday card for each month’s celebrants, hosted lunches, dinners and parties and visited her neighbors individually. She was present at every bingo game possible, attended the entertainment hours, and had a regular nightly game of Hand and Foot for most of her time at Mount Vernon Village. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her. Even in the final weeks of her life, Maxine was active and engaged as she faced growing health issues. Maxine entered into eternal life on September 29, 2023. Maxine was preceded in death by her husband Bob Koll, her mother and father, James and Mary McAllister, sisters Margaret (Raymond) Kuhnel, Rose (Leo) Ohri, Patricia (Hiram) Johnson, Camilla (Emil) Tejral, Agnes McAllister and brothers James (Ruth) and Edward McAllister. Her older sister Julia Ruth and younger brother Charles Joseph died in infancy. She is survived by her daughters Kelley Beavers and Kasey Koll, sister-in-law Darlene McAllister and many nieces, nephews, and great- and great-grand nieces and nephews.
