Maxine Todd

Maxine Winkler Todd (Grandma Bluebell), 89, a good and faithful servant of Jesus Christ, died of natural causes on Jan. 25, 2021, in Roosevelt, Utah.
    Born July 3, 1931, in Naples, Utah, to Ulrich Bernard and Lucile Merrell Winkler, Maxine grew up on the family farm in Bluebell, Utah — milking and feeding cows, collecting and selling eggs, and working in the house and garden. As she aged, she participated in the Uintah Basin Activity Days, singing duets, trios, and quartets with her siblings and others. She had many friends during her school years and graduated from the Altamont Seminary and Altamont High School.
    Maxine met Howard G. Todd during a summer dance at Ravola Dugway in 1952. They were sealed in the Logan Utah Temple on Sept. 17, 1953. Together they raised nine children (eight sons and one daughter) on the family farm, where they exemplified and taught hard work, unconditional love, and being a good example. As Howard was involved in his education, military, career, and church responsibilities, a lot of the teaching, raising, and nurturing of the children fell to Maxine. She received help from her parents and siblings .
    In addition to her own children, Maxine loved, nurtured, protected, and taught her siblings, cousins, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, ward members, and many others. She spent almost 30 years as primary caregiver for her son, Nathan, who had severe Down’s Syndrome. Her grandchildren loved playing, climbing trees and digging in the big yard of the Bluebell house. They also loved watching movies and playing video games in the North Room; to them, she became known as Grandma Nintendo.
    Maxine loved her Savior Jesus Christ, had great faith in Him, and tried to emulate Him. She loved participating in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, blessing the lives of many through service in the Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society organizations, and as a temple ordinance worker.  Her favorite calling was serving with her husband as matron of the Vernal Utah Temple from 2002 to 2005.
    She loved sharing the produce of her garden. She spent hours watering, weeding, and harvesting her crop. She was especially known for her raspberries. She was an excellent cook and shared her famous cinnamon rolls with family and friends. She found joy as the flowers she planted grew and blossomed.
    During her years in the Uintah Basin Villa, she made many friends and shared her Christ-like love with the residents and staff. In September 2019, she received the Utah Health Care Association for Enrichment of Life Award. While dealing with her own challenges and obstacles, she was recognized for her positive light and calming effect on others and for enriching the lives of the residents. The Villa staff found that being in her presence brought them increased happiness and appreciation for life.

    Maxine is survived by her children: sons: Greg (Kristie), Roosevelt/South Jordan; Bruce (Carla), Roosevelt; Glenn (Jill), Saratoga Springs; Douglas (Michele), Lehi; Michael (Sue), Kaysville; Mark (Kristin), Layton; and Phillip (Brigitte), West Jordan; and daughter Stephanie Todd Varner (Alex), Sparks, NV; 33 grandchildren, 13 grandchildren-in-law, and 14 great-grandchildren (with two more on the way). She is also survived by her siblings Beth Duke, ShanaLee (Rush) Loertscher, and Udell (Ruth) Winkler, and sister-in-law Pat Wills Todd.
    She is preceded in death by her husband Howard, son Nathan, parents, siblings Pauline and Chad Winkler, granddaughter Caressa (Bruce and Carla), and grandson Dylan (Doug and Michele).
    The family expresses appreciation to the administrators and staff at Uintah Basin Villa for the love and care they showed to Maxine. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made in Maxine’s name to the Uintah Basin Villa, Latter-day Saint Charities, or another charity.
    Private funeral services for immediate family will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2021, at 11a.m. at the Altamont Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with a visitation from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the services. The funeral will be live-streamed at https://my.gather.app/remember/maxine-todd. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, masks will be required for those who attend the services. Burial will be in the Bluebell Cemetery.