Maxine Cordelia Kucera

Maxine Cordelia Kucera, passed away peacefully at the Boundary County Community Hospital Extended Care Facility Feb. 5, 2012.

Services were held on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, at the United Methodist Church in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

Maxine was born May 22, 1923, in Oronago, Mo., to Edmond and Rachel White.

She spent her early years in the countryside around Joplin, Mo. The family moved to Boundary County in 1935, during the depth of the depression.

Mother attended the Buckhorn School through the eighth grade. On Nov. 10, 1941, Maxine married Leonard Kucera in Columbus, Neb. He was young man who had traveled West to work for an uncle.

They farmed in Nebraska until he was drafted for the World War II. During his  enlistment, Maxine moved back to Boundary County, settling east of Moyie Springs.

The marriage, which lasted 70 years, was spent developing their dairy farm, the LK Ranch which they operated for 33 years.

Maxine was active in the county dairy wives, the Curley Creek Extension club, the Curley Creek Community Hall and was an active 4-H leader.

In 1985, they leased their interest in the farm to son Leonard Jr. and began enjoying retirement. Maxine was a talented artist whose paintings of landscape, portraits, still life, and wild life are scattered across the U.S.

She was a serious doll collector and has a collection numbering in the hundreds.

Maxine and Leonard spent many weeks on the road visiting relatives throughout the U.S. also flea markets, yard sales, etc.

She took great pride in the growing of flowers and gardening, winning many ribbons for her flowers at the fair. She accepted the Lord Jesus as her savior at a young age and was a member of the United Methodist Church. She spent many hours in prayer for her missing granddaughter, Christine.

Maxine was preceded in death by her parents Edmond and Rachel White, an infant sister, sister Fern Carmack and brother Douglas White.

She is survived by husband Leonard Kucera; her children: a son, Leonard Jr (Lucille); two daughters, Sue (Terry) Howe and Nancy (Steve) Hill; a brother, Hobert White; grandchildren: Angela (Donnie) Baker, Wendy Kucera, Matt (Geni) Hill, Erik (Hallie) Olson, Andy Howe, Karen (Kelly) Wilson, eight great-grand children and two great-great grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited to sign Maxine’s book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com  

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.