Funeral services for Maxine E. Durick, 87, of Lemmon, SD will be Friday, June 16, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at the Spencer Memorial Presbyterian Church in Lemmon. Rev. Ann Altman will officiate and burial will follow at Greenhill Cemetery in Lemmon. Visitations will be from 1:00 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday evening at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon and one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday afternoon.

Maxine E. Durick was born Maxine Ellen Smith to Archie and Ella Smith on July 4, 1919 in Britton, South Dakota. She moved to Lemmon with her parents, attended the Lemmon School system, and was in the graduating class of 1936. After High School Maxine worked for the Bank of Lemmon as a teller until the fall of 1936, when she entered the University of South Dakota in Brookings as a freshman in the school of pharmacy. After two years, Maxine returned to home to assist her parents with the operation of Smith's Rexall Drug in Lemmon. Due to the demands of her work at Smith's Drug, Maxine never returned to the university, but later met and fell in love with Dennis Eugene Durick after his return from the Navy and World War II. They were married on December 30, 1948 at her parent's home.

Maxine was active in her church where she and Dennis sang with the church choir for many years. Maxine also taught Sunday school, served as an elder on the session, and for several years, acted as secretary for the pastor. When her children were young, Maxine was active in scouting programs as Den Mother for a Cub Scout troop. An active member of her community Maxine belonged to several social and study groups. In spite of the fact that she could never swim, Maxine enjoyed spending time at her cabin at Shadehill Reservoir, and was active with the South Side Cabin Board. Throughout her life, Maxine had many interests and enjoyed a number of hobbies including among others, ceramics and oil painting. A voracious reader her entire life, Maxine was a strong supporter of the Lemmon Library and contributed many books to their shelves.

In her daily life, Maxine was quick to laughter, and loved to kid and joke with people. She looked for beauty around her, and loved green plants and flowers. Her house and yard are full of them. She bottled rainwater like it was gold after summer rains, and took pleasure in the colors of the plants that flourished around her. She cherished her hometown, but also loved to travel to see new places. The Black Hills were among her favorite places to visit. She was generous with what she had. When someone needed her time, she gave it freely, and she was also a financial supporter of many charities. In her life, she made her presence known. Maxine was outspoken, honest and caring. Always, she put others before herself.

Maxine lived a long life, lived it with passion, and did it well. She graduated to the Lord's world on June 12, 2006 at Five Counties Nursing Home where she had been a resident for several weeks. She is survived by her husband, Dennis, her daughter, Bonnie, her son David, and her poodle, Spinner. Maxine; wife, mom and friend, will be greatly missed.