Maxine Henrietta Drenth

November 20th, 1910 - March 8th, 2008

Maxine Henrietta's Memory Wall

We encourage you to share your most beloved memories of Maxine Henrietta here, so that the family and other loved ones can always see it. Share your favorite stories or comment on those shared by others.

Well, Maxine and I gave each other our monikers, our nicknames by which we are still remembered. My parents "credit" her with coming-up with the name I used on the radio from 1966-1972, "Manley Shanley".
Later, in the television years when doing my "Backroads" stories, I got to name her "The Teddy Bear Lady". She was so popular she is one of only a handful in all those years to be profiled more than once.
So touche' Teddy Bear Lady. And thanks.
God Bless You,
Manley Shanley

Barry Shanley

Maxine will always hold a special place in my heart. She was one of my very special Sunday School teachers for years at the old Hope Reformed Church on Green Street. She gave me the solid foundation that has carried my faith for many years. When the Haines family moved to Prospect Street, I was delighted to have Maxine as our neighbor! To this day, my children(Brett and Melanie) and I cherish the personalized teddy bears that she made for us! I thank God for Maxine and will miss her tremendously.

Kathleen Haines Dailey

I did not know Maxine, sorry to say.
I have been working on the Drenth genealogy for several years. Maxine's husband, John Drenth was related to me through my grand father Jan Drenth in the Netherlands, who I was named after. Jan = John. Working on my genealogy I just recently found out that I had relatives in South Haven. I wish I would have known them. My wife and my condolences go out to the descendant family. I would like to get to know them as well.
John Drenth

John and Fran Drenth

Aunt Maxine’s passing is sad for not just one reason, but for two important reasons. First because of how we will all miss everything she meant to us. And secondly because she was the last of a great generation of Olson’s that now, with her passing, is no more. All of us nephews and nieces, and there are a lot of us, have great memories of the family farm in Covert and all the remarkable stories of the original nine Olson brothers and sisters. There were great times and sad times, of course, but I dare say there isn’t one of us who wouldn’t love to re-live even a wee bit of those wonderful days. Like Aunt Maxine, all the Olson brothers and sisters were loaded with love, with ambition, with determination, with kindness and understanding. The memories of Christmas’s at Len and Mildred’s on Wilson St., or at Irv & Margaret’s on Cherry Ct., of Dawn & Flicka in the barn at Sanda and Andy’s, of summers at Saddle Lake with Dave & Otto, of how Grandpa loved hunting on Beaver Island, of boating in the big lake with Elmer and Gladys, of birthday parties at Drenth’s when they lived in Covert, of my mom & dad’s antiques and braided rugs, of Aunt Jeanette doing the Olson family history, of birthday parties at Edgar & Irene’s on Deerlick Ct., of Uncle Len’s darkroom and all the pictures he took, and of course, of Aunt Maxine’s Teddy Bears, Chocolate Chip cookies, peanut brittle, and especially her love for every one of us right up to the very end of her life and her generation.

Jim Bauschke

Stan and I would like to express our sympathy to the whole family in the passing of our dear friend Maxine.
Having read the guest book, I can see that she was loved and apprecaiated by all of us who had the special experience of knowing her for many years.
Maxine taught me many useful tips as a new bride in a kitchen I was new to! Her helpful cooking tips and shared recipes were always appreciated.

Her skills in the crafts were so special! Our kids still look forward to those special Christmas ornaments that she made, painted, initialed and dated as we decorate our family tree. Jenny and Jamie are now 29 and 27--that doesn't seem to matter.

Cookies, canning and cooking were such easy tasks for Maxine, at least she made it seem that way, always being the encourager with, "You can do this!"

After we moved to Holland in 2000, I actually only visited Maxine once. We sat on the sofa in the living room and shared many special memories about our kids, her kids and grandkids, and of course about John. We watched the bird feeders, and the squirrels as they ate their corn cobs on the back deck. We had a cup of coffee, and we shed some happy tears. This dear saint helped me grow more than anyone will ever know.
Linda, Randy, Steve Cheryl, and to all the grand kids, we are so sorry to see this saint pass, because she will be missed greatly by those of us she touched so deeply. I am sure there was a royal welcome for her in heaven, because I know how much she loved the Lord. May God Bless you all.

With Love and Prayers,
Stan and Marianne

Maxine Henrietta Drenth

Maxine Henrietta's Memory Wall

TEST