Ardith Maxwell obit

Ardith Allene “Ardie” Maxwell was born Dec. 8, 1935, in rural Craig, to Oscar “O.W.” and Gladys (Shaw) Begley. She passed away on Oct. 26, 2026, at Methodist Hospital in Omaha, at the age of 90 years, 10 months, and 18 days.

She attended Craig High School and graduated in 1953. Following High School, Ardie worked in Omaha for a brief time until she got married. She then helped on the farm, was a housewife, mom, chauffeur, cook, and bookkeeper. She worked for Bill Cameron, then JC Penney in Tekamah and Tekamah-Herman Schools after the kids were older and out of school.

Ardie was united in marriage to Vaden Leroy Maxwell on Jan. 16, 1955. To this union were born three children. Donald Eugene, Raymond Louis, and Rita Lynn.

Her love was her family and spending time with them, including having all the grandchildren for summertime visits. She spent her time helping with the farming and raising livestock. She loved spring during calving season and watching the new babies running around. She enjoyed watching her children, grandchildren and other youth in sports and other activities, especially wrestling. She was a huge fan of Nebraska football, volleyball and, of course, the Backyard Farmer on PBS. She was an avid reader and enjoyed putting together puzzles.

She loved to garden and grow her own vegetables. She spent many hours tending the garden, harvesting the vegetables, and canning them. She enjoyed helping granddaughters with canning as well. She genuinely loved the time spent with them. She loved watching the sunrise and sunsets and marveled at how beautiful they were.

Ardie also loved growing flowers. When spring brought tulips and daffodils, until the last flowers of fall, there were fresh flowers on the kitchen table.

Ardie is survived by her son Ray (Linda) Maxwell of West Point; daughter Rita (Gary) Glandon of Craig; daughter-in-law Bernice Maxwell of Coleridge; 10 Grandchildren; Kristi (Brad) Bebermeyer of Elkhorn, Amanda (Ron) Miller of Hillsdale, Wyo., Lyndsay Robinson of Wilcox, Mike (Mari) Maxwell of Fremont, Alexis (Greg) Kvols of Laurel, Aaron (Jo Anna) Going of Tekamah, Seth (Kelli) Going of Superior, Tyler (Kelly) Maxwell of Sioux Falls, S.D., Jessica (Ryan) Oswald of Pilger, and Courtney (Elliot) Mitchell of Omaha; 31 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren with number five on the way; sister Geraline (Gerry) Corbin of Fremont; sisters-in-law Yvonne Anderson of Eudora, Kan. and Beatrice (Billie) Begley of Rapid City, S.D.; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Ardie was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Vaden; her parents; son Donald Eugene Maxwell; brother Jack Begley; brothers-in-law Bob Corbin, Vernon Maxwell, and Bill Anderson; sister-in-law Joan Maxwell; and grandson-in-law Jarad Robinson.

A memorial visitation will be Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, from 5-7 p.m. with time of sharing and remembrance at 7 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church in Tekamah. A private family burial will be at Craig Cemetery in Craig. Memorials can be directed to the family for future designation.