Maxine R. Linnell of Hermiston died on June 4, 2021 in Hermiston surrounded by family at the age of 93.
She was born on Feb. 4, 1928 in Owatonna, Minn. to William and Violet Zastrow.
When she was a young child, the family moved west to Walla Walla, Wash. before settling in Gilliam County on the John Day River at the mouth of Rock Creek. She attended elementary school at the Rock Creek School and graduated from Arlington High School. She met Donald Linnell after he returned home from serving in the Army, and they were married June 4, 1947 in The Dalles. They made their home and raised their family on a wheat and cattle ranch in Four Mile Canyon in Gilliam and Morrow counties. Maxine was a 4-H horse club leader for many years in Morrow County and, as a member of the 4-H leaders group, helped design and build the Snack Shack at the fairgrounds.
In 1955, Maxine and Don built and began operating the Nugget Motel in Boardman. They replaced the motel in 1965 when the construction of the John Day dam forced much of the city of Boardman to move out of the path of the rising Columbia River. The motel business took them to Pendleton in 1988 before they settled outside Hermiston in 1995.
Don and Maxine enjoyed traveling, including trips to Europe, Australia and New Zealand. They also enjoyed spending time at their cabin near Tollgate – snowmobiling in the winter and ATVs in the summer with family and friends. Maxine and Don attended as many of their grandchildren’s activities as possible, from ball games to cattle shows.
Maxine was a proud and loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She loved being Granny, and you did not have to be related by blood to be considered one of hers. Maxine loved a good conversation with anyone and was full of questions, reflecting her deep care and interest in others. She will be missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by sister, Joyce Palm of Wenatchee; sons, Rodney (Bonnie) of Hermiston and Brock (Marie) of Hermiston; daughter, Marci (Eric) Thorsen of Yacolt, Wash.; grandchildren, Rodney Linnell Jr., Brenda Kittelson, Phoebe Reed, JW Lundell, Patrick Linnell and Brady Linnell; and seven great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald in 1999; her parents, William and Violet; her sister, Audrey; and brothers, Stanley, Melvin and William.
All family and friends are welcome to a celebration of Maxine’s life on July 9 at noon at the home of Brock and Marie Linnell at 79984 Powerline Road, Hermiston. Lunch will be catered.
A private graveside service will be held at the Hermiston Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Vange John Memorial Hospice education program, 645 W. Orchard Ave., Hermiston, Ore., 97838.
Please share memories of Maxine with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
