Ruth Maxine Laumann was born to Adam Henry Lee Laumann and Lillie Anna (Klute) Laumann in rural Tarkio, Missouri on October 2, 1929. Maxine attended South Dale School for 8 years and graduated from Tarkio High School in 1947. After school she attended Commercial Extension school in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1948, she moved to Shenandoah, Iowa and worked for Bower Longstreet Insurance Company.
Maxine and Wilbur “Bill” Lang were married on August 1, 1951, in Aberdeen, Maryland while Bill was in the United States Army and preparing to be stationed in Korea. She moved to Rock Port, Missouri in September 1951 and worked at the Bank of Atchison County. When Bill returned from the war, they moved to the Klute farm in May 1953 and purchased the farm from Maxine’s parents in 1970. They later purchased some farmland in Iowa.
Maxine was active in the operation of the farm and was seen many times driving the tractor and doing what was necessary to be done. After renting out their farmland Maxine spent many hours making quilts for her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and Lutheran Church Women. She also made many lap robes for the rest homes and members of St. John’s. Bill and Maxine have been members of St. John’s Lutheran Church where they have both been active members through the years. Maxine served as an officer in Lutheran Church Women and was treasurer of the Tarkio Food Pantry for 14 years. She and Bill volunteered at Garden View Rest Home, Tarkio Food Pantry, and Maxine was the Thrivent advocate for many years. Bill and Maxine were avid square dancers and attended many of the activities of their grandchildren.
Maxine is survived by her children, Brenda (Michael) Reeves of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, Sharon (Ed) Jackson of Frankford, Missouri, Joyce (Robin) Pierson of Richland Center, Wisconsin, and Bruce (JoAnne) Lang of Tarkio, Missouri. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Jeffrey Gordon, Julia (Leonard) Steinkopf, Dennis Schleusner (Ashley Vanliew), Lori (Matt) Hill, Scott (Whitney) Jackson, Eric Pierson (Milena Mundim), Jill (Bob) Berglin, Erin (Michael) Starks, Jordan (Elizabeth) Pierson, Kevin Lang, John (Nicole) Lang, and Melissa Lang (Griffin Smith) as well as 26 great grandchildren. She is survived by two brothers-in-law, Don (Marilyn) Lang and Ron (Barbara) Lang and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, her parents, her sisters, Lola (Donald) Fast, Hermie (Frank) DeBoer, Donna (Clyde) Shineflew, and her granddaughter, Heather Gordon.
Funeral Service: 11:00 A.M., Saturday, July 5, 2025, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Westboro.
The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00 A.M., Saturday, prior to the service. There is no open visitation.
Interment: St. John’s Cemetery, Westboro.
Memorials: Tarkio Food Pantry or Donor’s Choice.
Arrangements: Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.
