THE NEWS TRIBUNE (Tacoma WA); Tuesday, November 28, 2006; B3; Col. 3

Maxine Christine Lakin

Maxine Christine Lakin, 85, passed away Sunday, November 26, 2006,
in Tacoma, Washington.

"Max" was a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and will
be greatly missed by everyone whose lives she touched.

She was preceded in death by her husband Fred Lakin, son Steve Lakin,
brothers Gene Stern, Richard Stern and William Stern and sister Helen
Delaney.

She is survived by her children Kathy Lakin, Gary Lakin (Suzan),
Hugh Lakin (Jeannie), Morgan Lakin (Denise) and Lori Price (Joe), her
grandchildren Rebecca King (Jay), Curt Lakin, Kellan Deardorff, Beth
Lakin, Emily Lakin, Evan Lakin, Taylor Lakin, Daniel Price and Ben Price,
great-grandchildren Isabelle and Hayden King, and sisters Laura Money,
Evelyn Miller (Reece) and Irene Beccue.

Maxine was born in Brooten, Minnesota, and raised in O'Brien Township,
Minnesota.

Maxine was proud of her service as a certified welder in a Portland,
OR shipyard during World War II.

Soon after the war, she met the love of her life, Fred Lakin, at a welcome
home dance for returning soldiers. They married and moved to Washington
where they raised six children.

During the 50's and 60's, and 70's, Maxine worked at home raising
her children as well as many other children of her South Tacoma
neighborhood. The Lakin home was a welcome place for anyone who was
hungry, tired or just needed a place to stay for a few days. Maxine's
incredible acceptance and home cooking was appreciated by everyone.

Maxine retired from Visitation School in the mid-1980's and continued to
reside in South Tacoma where she gardened, crocheted and spent time with
her family. She became a life saver once again for her grandchildren and
their busy parents. No holiday or birthday went by without the family
getting together. Of all the things in her life, her family remained
the most important. She also loved her neighborhood and her neighbors
and only left when she had to.

The family would like to thank everyone who knew and loved her. She
touched so many lives in such a giving way.

The family would like to thank the staff at Pioneer Place Alzheimer
Residence for their exceptional care of Miss Maxine, as they called her,
during this last year.

The family invites you to share a time of visitation on Thursday,
November 30, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Piper-Morley-Mellinger
Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, December 1,
at 11:30 AM at Visitation Catholic Church in Tacoma.  Committal Services
to follow at New Tacoma Cemetery. There will be a reception immediately
following the committal at the Visitation Parish Hall to remember and
celebrate Maxine's life. Funeral arrangements under the direction of
Piper-Morley-Mellinger Funeral Home 253-472-3353.