Dorothy "Maxine" (Davis) Jahn

Dorothy Maxine (Davis) Jahn, 97, of Spring Valley, MN, died March 28, 2021, at Spring Valley Care Center.

Maxine was born May 18, 1923, to H. Clell and Veta L. (Hiatt) Davis in Moravia, Iowa.   She moved to the Spring Valley area as a young girl.  In order to go to high school, she moved into town from her parents’ farm and stayed with a family as a nanny and housekeeper.  She graduated from Spring Valley High School in 1941.  After graduation, Maxine worked as a waitress and telephone operator in Spring Valley and then worked at Saint Marys Hospital as a nursing assistant.  Maxine was united in marriage to Robert Basil Jahn at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Valley, MN, on October 28, 1944. They were married for over 76 years. 

Together, Bob and Maxine built a very successful farming business and lived and worked on the farm where he was born until 2000 when their grandson and his wife bought their farm.  Their innovative farming practices in hog confinement, Black Angus cattle, and crop farming received international, national, and state recognition in national farm magazines, newspapers, and journals over the years.  Their farm is a century farm with six generations owning, working, and/or living on the farm.  Most importantly, Maxine demonstrated the importance of women partners in the agricultural business and instilled life-long learning as a priority, no matter what the age.

In addition to farming, Maxine was extraordinarily active in the Spring Valley community.  She served Our Savior’s Lutheran Church as Ladies’ Aid President, choir member, Bible School and Sunday School teacher, Circle Member, altar committee, mentor, and various other activities.  She served as President of the Root River Golf and Country Club Women’s Group, was a charter member of the Cosmopolitan Club, member of the Pork Producers, was a supporter and volunteer with the Spring Valley Historical Society, and a member of the Red Hat Society.  Her compassionate nature found her holding the hands of those with life challenges and shared in their dreams and their grieving.

She loved walking and was working out at a local fitness center while in her late 80’s, and she was featured in an article on senior citizen healthy living.  Her precise skills at sewing, crocheting, and knitting have delighted family and friends for years.  She loved fishing trips and traveling with her husband and friends all over the United States and many places in Europe.  Maxine and Bob were also silent financial providers of many community projects with the only return on their investments being the growth of the community and spirit of the Spring Valley they love.

We love you Mom.  Always answered by a gentle:  “I love you too; thanks for coming. Give me a kiss goodnight.”

Maxine is survived by two children; Richard (Sharon) Jahn of Spring Valley, MN, and Judy (Dave) Young of Rochester, MN.  Also surviving are grandchildren Richard and (Gina) Jahn, Becky and (John) Pagone, Betsy and (Mark) Zimmerman, Rochelle Tillison, and Robert Gust; step-grandchildren Bryce Young and Taylor (Yvonne) Young.  She is survived by 14 great-grandchildren:  Shelby (Connor), Nora, William; Ellie,  KT, Michael, Jacob; Sophie, Emma; Evangeline; Kayla, Rhys, Tyler, and Trygg.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert on March 11, 2020, brothers Clifford (Georgine) Davis, Roland (Carolyn) Davis, Robert (Mabel) Davis, brother-in-law Willard (Vi) Jahn, and step-granddaughter Kelsey Young.  In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to Our Saviors Lutheran Church of Spring Valley, and Spring Valley Historical Society. The family would like to thank Spring Valley Living for the excellent care given to our mother in the past years.

Visitation will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Spring Valley from 5-7 p.m. Monday, April 5, 2021.  A funeral service will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 6 followed by internment at the church cemetery.   Masks and social distancing will be required.   

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