Maxine Ruth Soldan

Maxine Ruth Soldan, 89, of Topeka, passed away Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at Plaza West Health Center. She was born June 20, 1923 at home in rural Riley County, Ks. Maxine was the daughter of Rudolph W. and Ruth M. (Peterson) Peterson. Maxine grew up a farm girl, learning the values of hard work, doing good work, doing things right, being dependable, honest and persevering through difficult times. These characteristics served Maxine well throughout her life. On April 26, 1952, Maxine married Jean E. Soldan of Manhattan, Ks in Randolph, Ks. Maxine was very devoted to her family. She was a caring mother and a homemaker in the early years when her children, Linda and Dean, were growing up. Once the children were older, she worked for a time alongside Jean operating Soldan?s Lawn Service in Greenville, Texas (late 1960s ? early 1970s) Some of Maxine?s Topeka employment included making greeting cards at Hallmark?s Mfg. Co. (early 1950?s.) She also worked in Housekeeping at Brewster Place (1970s ? 1980s) and Kansas Neurological Institute from which she retired in 1988. Maxine enjoyed her grandchildren, vegetable and flower gardening, crafts, antique shopping, small town museums, antique cars, and KU Basketball. She also loved camping in the mountains while living in Denver, Co (1960?s). Maxine enjoyed traveling the back roads of Kansas as well as seeing the more notable sites; she also liked to explore other states. In later years, Maxine steadfastly took on the difficult task of caring for her husband when he developed prolonged health issues. Jean preceded her in death in January, 2003 and she lost her only son, Dean, in January 2010. Also preceding Maxine were both her parents, a baby brother, her brother, Raymond Peterson. Survivors include her daughter, Linda Mason-Hutton (Brad Hutton) of Topeka; sister, Peggy Norman (Oley) and sister-in-law, Arlene Peterson all of Manhattan, Ks. Other survivors are a granddaughter, Shelley Long (Jon) and grandson, Brandon Soldan all of Dover, Ks. Two great granddaughters, Dakotah Vignery and Breanna Long also survive. Mrs. Soldan will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Sunday, November 25th at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 5:30 p.m until 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be November 26th at the funeral home at 12:00 p.m. Interment will be in Rochester Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Maxine?s memory may be made to The Lewy Body Dementia Association, sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.