Maxine Dorothy Reeves Vann, 99

Maxine Dorothy Reeves Vann, 99, of Sandpoint died, May 15 2008, in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Maxine Dorothy Reeves was born in Seattle, Wash., on June 26, 1908, to David Spurgeon Reeves and Bertha Schumacher Reeves.

Shortly after her birth, her family moved to a farm near Moscow, Idaho. They attended the Methodist Church in Moscow, where Maxine's mother played the newly installed pipe organ.

When Maxine was 8 years old, the family moved to a small town on the Columbia River, and then on to Portland, Ore. In 1923, they moved to Southern California.

Maxine came from a large family. She had six brothers and one sister.

Hers was a musical family. All of her brothers had fine voices, as did their father, David, and sister, Eleanor. Eleanor was a soloist, and brother Harold, was a professional singer. He sang in concerts, musicals, and worked for Fox Movie Studios.

Two of Maxine's brothers became Methodist ministers in the Southern California Conference. Brother Dr. Edwin Reeves, was pastor of a large Methodist Church in Phoenix, Ariz., with 3,500 members. The Rev. Floyd Reeves married Lois Warner, whose father, Robert, was minister of Sandpoint Methodist Church from 1909-1911.

Maxine attended UCLA, class of 1932, working and studying to be an elementary school teacher. In 1930 she became engaged to a young graduate dentist, Dr. Roy Vann, and in 1932 they were married, and moved to Lakeport, Calif. Maxine's father built them a house on the shores of Clear Lake, where they raised their three children, Jim, Ginny, and Doug.

Maxine was very active in the Methodist Church in Lakeport. She was secretary-treasurer for the women's group for many years, and served on many committees, but 'missions' was her favorite.

Maxine and Roy both sang in the choir in Lakeport, and many years later Maxine was presented with a plaque for having sung in the church choir for 50 years. She also joined the Civic Club, and later the Eastern Star.

Roy went through the chairs in the Masonic Lodge. His term as Worshipful Master was halted in 1943 when Roy joined the Navy as a dental lieutenant and was sent to Farragut Naval Station, in northern Idaho, where he, Maxine, and their young family would spend the next 2 1/2 years.

Maxine and Roy spent many happy years raising their children, being actively involved in all of their musical and athletic activities.

Roy had a large boat and loved to take family and friends out to enjoy the beauty of the lake. Maxine prepared food and entertained hundreds of family and friends over the years.

Maxine and Roy were married 58 years, until Roy's death in 1991. She remained in her Lakeport, Calif., home for 65 years, until she moved to Sandpoint in 1997.

Maxine is survived by her son, Douglas (Jan) of Cocolalla, Idaho; her daughter, Virginia Lindsteadt of Vancouver, Wash.; and her daughter-in-law, Lorraine Vann of Davis, Calif. Maxine's son, James, preceded her in death in 1980. She has six grandchildren: Karen Potter, Richard Linsteadt, Janis Lindsteadt, David Vann, Cheryl Vann and Heather Vann, and five great-grandchildren, Christopher, Erin, Kristi, Kai and Mark.

In 1997, Maxine's family encouraged her to move to Sandpoint where she has since resided. She has enjoyed her life in Sandpoint and the wonderful fellowship she experienced in the United Methodist Church here. She has felt very blessed and thankful to God throughout her long life.

Memorial services for Maxine will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2008, at the Sandpoint United Methodist Church, 711 Main St, with the Rev. Darryn Hewson officiating.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Sandpoint United Methodist Church.

Family and friends are invited to sign Maxine's online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Coffelt Funeral Service.