Maxine G. McKeown, 89, died Saturday, July 4, 2009 at the Avera Dougherty Hospice House in Sioxu Falls. Maxine was born June 15, 1920 in Mpls., MN to Ansel and Pearl (Cassidy) McMillan. She first came to SD during the Depression years. This 'city kid' spent summers on her grandmother's homestead only a few miles from where she would eventually move and live for the last 56 years of her life on her husband's family farm. Her most enjoyable job before marriage was at a music record shop in Mpls. through which she would meet many of the great jazz and blues singers and players, notably, Louis Armstrong. In 1945 she caught the eye of Brookings County native, Gordon McKeown. They were married on Nov. 25, 1945 in Mpls. Their first 6 years of farming were spent on a rented farm 4 miles north of Elkton before moving to Gordon's family farm 12 miles NW of Elkton in 1953. Maxine started her research in 1955. She worked with Msgr. Louis Miller and Fr. Leonard Kayser in the fight to help save the family farm. Her activism was extensive, covering 50+ years including: member of the National Farmers Organization started in 1963, contributing writer and director for the National Catholic Rural Life, July 1969 published in the Congressional Record concerning her paper on the Agricultural Revolution, 1970 unsuccessfully ran for Brookings County state legislature, 1972 began 35 years as director for the SD Resources Coalition, 1975 the Broken Hoop series was one of several SD Humanities Grants she won; registered lobbyist for National Catholic Rural Life and the SD Resources Coalition resulting in defeating ETSI coal-slurry pipeline project, Chem-Nuclear plant and the Oahe Irrigation Project; member of Veterans for Peace. Maxine was also active in fighting for peace and justice through other numerous organizations. Additionally, her cooking was legendary, especially her pies. Many were consumed at the Brookings Livestock Cafe she ran for several years and through numerous fund raisers. Her gardens beautified the farm and fed her family. Her last wish of going to the Southwest desert "one more time before I die," was fulfilled in May by her son, Shane.

Maxine is survived by her 6 children: Stephen (Joan) of Richfield, MN, Beth (Richard) Frederiksen of rural Elkton, LaVia (James) Merrick of Sioux Falls, Shane of Canadian Lakes, MI, Rebecca Mines of Webster City, IA and Mary (John) Guthmiller of Bozeman, MT; 16 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, brother Patrick, daughter-in-law Diane and grandson Robbie Merrick.

Visitation will be held at Skroch Funeral Chapel in Elkton on Tuesday, July 7th from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Elkton on Wednesday, July 8th at 10:30 a.m.; burial at St. Mary's Cemetery, Elkton. The family requests donations to Avera Doughtery Hospice House or the SD Resources Coalition.