Mass of Christian Burial Participants:

Clergy:  Reverend Tom Anderson and Reverend Gary DeRouchey

Lector:  Nancy Blume

Organist:  Carol Esser

Cantor and Soloist:  Sheri Zens

Pallbearers:  Reed Anderson, Nathan Anderson, Carson Stemper, Ivan Blume, Bruce Edgar, Mark Edgar

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Maxine Elizabeth (Appel) Stemper, 84, of Zell, SD, passed away Thursday, May 28, 2020, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen, SD.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 1, 2020, at St. Mary's Chapel in Zell.  Reverends Tom Anderson and Gary DeRouchey will officiate.  Interment will follow at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Zell.

Visitation will be Sunday, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., at St. Mary's Chapel in Zell.  Family will be present from 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. and again at 6:30 p.m.  A Scriptural Prayer Service and Rosary will begin at 7:00 p.m.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home of Redfield, SD.  (www.hykefuneralhome.com)

Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, public attendance is now allowed (at your own risk) at visitations and funerals following the most recent recommendations from the CDC:

1. Those who are ill and or at-risk (e.g. elderly, immune-compromised) are asked to stay home.

2. Social distancing (of at least 6 feet) should be practiced and will be followed at the Chapel in Zell.

3. Proper hygiene, including hand hygiene and covering cough and sneezes, should be strictly followed.

Maxine Elizabeth Appel was born in Redfield, SD on November 9, 1935 to Simon and Bertha (Ecker) Appel.  She was an elementary student at a country school by Cottonwood Lake.  She then attended Redfield High School and graduated with the Class of 1953.

On October 28, 1954, Maxine was united in marriage to Cletus Stemper at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Redfield.  To this union, six children were born:  Kathi, Bill, Dennis, Dorrine, Pete, and Nancy.  They raised their children on the family farm in rural Zell, SD where Maxine was a devoted farm wife and mother.

Maxine was well-known for her delicious baking, especially her chocolate chip cookies. She also enjoyed sewing, volunteering at the Eastern Star Home in Redfield, as well as chaperoning FCCLA activities and trips.  She will always be remembered for the love she had for her family and faith, her warm smile and quick wit, her hard work ethic, and her generous nature.

Grateful for sharing her life are her children:  Kathi (Roger) Anderson of Chamberlain, SD; Bill (Tamara) Stemper of Redfield; Dennis (Jacki) Stemper of Zell; Dorrine (Steve) Ellenson of Brule, WI; Pete (Jean) Stemper of Madison, SD; and Nancy (Bruce) Blume of Redfield; and her brother Roger (Barb) Appel of Redfield.  She is also survived by her grandchildren:  Reed (Kari) Anderson; Nathan Anderson; Jamie (Lance) Spears; Jessi (Kirk) Whitley; Lindsay Halton; Katie (Tony) Fiegen; Carson Stemper; Lydia (Jon Stabler) Blume; Isabel Blume; Ivan Blume; and Lilly Mae Blume; and great-grandchildren:  Jayden Anderson; Dilen Anderson, Deion Stork, Devyn Anderson, and Jaylee Spears; and Dawson and Aniston Whitley.

She was preceded in death by her husband Cletus; sisters:  Nellie Lutter, Margaret Haider, Doris Kirrin, Bernice Walz, Marion Thiel, and Lucille Brindley; and brothers:  Walter Appel and Edward Appel.