Twyla Maxon Lindsay
Twyla Maxon Lindsay
Services were Oct. 16 at Grace Lutheran Church, Wayne, followed by a reception in Church Fellowship Hall.
Visitation was Oct. 15 at Grace Lutheran Church.
Interment was Oct. 16 in the Laurel Cemetery.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Hasemann Funeral Home, Wayne.
Twyla Marie Maxon Lindsay was born March 30, 1934, on the family farm in Cuming County to Ernest and Edna (Klawitter) Koopmann. A lifelong devotion to Christ began with her baptism at Trinity Lutheran Church in rural Howells. She continued her walk with God through confirmation and the church remained a focal point throughout her life.
She attended rural school #56 of Cuming County through the fourth grade. Her family moved into Wisner where she graduated in May 1951.
Following high school graduation, she taught three years in rural schools District #66 and #56 of Cuming County. The summer of 1954 she worked in Estes Park, Colo., which became one of her favorite places on earth. Upon his discharge from the Navy, John Maxon and Twyla were married Nov. 14, 1954, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Wisner. The couple moved to a family farm near Laurel, where they raised a son, Blake, and a daughter, Dee. After 31 years of marriage, John died in October 1986. Following his death, Twyla moved to Bassett where she taught fifth grade, and the K-8 gifted program, for two years.
Through square dancing, she met and married Russell Lindsay, Wayne, Aug. 19, 1989. For the next five years, Twyla taught Kindergarten and the gifted program in the Osmond Public Schools, retiring after 31 years of teaching in 1994, followed by 10 years of substitute teaching. Teaching was not only her profession, but her passion. After her retirement, she volunteered in Blake’s classroom for another 22 years and was an online reading tutor during COVID for his ESL students. She was a beloved teacher and several of her students kept in contact long after she was their educator.
Twyla and Russ spent several winters as snowbirds in Casa Grande, Ariz. She said those years spent in Casa Grande were some of her happiest. After 22 years of marriage, Russell died June 17, 2011.
When young, Twyla did not like traveling, but ended up being a seasoned world traveler - visiting all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, and Europe multiple times. She especially enjoyed visiting her kids and grandchildren.
While living in Laurel, Twyla was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, was a Sunday School teacher and a member of ELT Club. At Grace Lutheran Church, Wayne, she was a long-time member of the Altar Guild, served on the memorial committee, a church office and bulletin board volunteer, and a member of a Bible study group. She enjoyed volunteering with Orphan Grain Train Friends. Twyla was a loyal friend and was most proud of her deep 50+ year friendships with both her Laurel friends and rural teachers group.
Twyla is survived by her son, Blake, and spouse, Gina, CarlsbadCalif., step grandchildren, David Jameson and Aimee Jameson; daughter, Dee, and spouse, Tom O’Meara, Olathe, Kan., grandchildren, Molly O’Meara and Jackie O’Meara; step son, Ken Lindsay, and friend, Nancy Mullally, and grandchildren, Stephanie Cady, Jason Lindsay, Beth Lindsay and Johanna Lindsay, and great-graandchildren; Diane (Lindsay), and spouse, Bill Long, grandchildren, Zach Long and Andrew Long, and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Edna Koopmann; sister, Darleen Frevert; husbands, John Maxon and Russ Lindsay.
Memorials may be directed to the Twyla’s family for later designation.