Maxine Prideaux

Our beautiful wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Maxine Lucy (Sabatka) Prideaux passed from this life to her life of glory on November 8 2020. She passed away with her husband Bob and sister-in-law Agnes Sabatka at her side at Prairie Senior Living in Colby, Kansas. Her passing was a result of complications from the novel Coronavirus 19.

Maxine was born June 9, 1931 in Stratton Nebraska, the youngest child and only daughter of Ralph and Lucy (Sramek) Sabatka. She had two older brothers, Raymond and Raphael, to greet her when she came home to the family farm in northwest Rawlins County. The family farm was part of the Czech farming community surrounding St John Nepomucene Catholic Church and it was here that Maxine was baptized and received her childhood sacraments

Growing up on the family farm was recalled with fond memories. Her social life revolved around events at the parish church and with many friends and relatives. She attended the White Lily country school which was just a few miles south of her home. There she was instructed under the watchful guidance of Miss Margaret and Miss Regina Brown. Maxine always spoke with high regard for these two sisters/educators. During many of her school years, WWII raged across the seas and many prayers were said for her brother Raphael who was involved in the conflict. In 1945, with the War ending, Maxine began her high school years attending Atwood Community High School. She, like other farm kids, lived in an apartment during the school week and went home to the farm on the weekends. She graduated from high school with the class of 1949.

It was at a basketball game at Atwood high school that Maxine met a young man, from McDonald, KS, she would eventually spend many years with. Robert “Bob” Prideaux and Maxine dated a few years. During this time Maxine lived with her parents who had moved to Atwood and she worked at various jobs in Atwood. Some of these were working as a secretary for school superintendent Molly McBride and working at a bakery as a sales person. Bob finally asked “the prettiest girl on the north divide” to marry him. The couple were married on June 26, 1951 at Sacred Heart Church in Atwood. A dance followed at St John’s hall northwest of Atwood. They were a couple that was always in love. They worked together with love and respect as a team throughout their marriage. They would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary June 26 2021.

The young couple made their new home on the Prideaux family farm south of McDonald, Ks. On Sept 1,1952, the couple welcomed their first child Denise Marie. Robert Randell (Randy) was welcomed on July 27 1953. Eventually the young family decided to move to Atwood. On November 25, 1959, Donna Lee was welcomed into the family and finally baby Roger Bryan arrived on January 25,1962. These are the kids who always knew Maxine as their dear mother.

She was active in the Sacred Heart school parents’ association and Christian Mother’s Altar Society. Maxine and Bob were members of a couple’s study club sponsored by the church for many years. She was a member of several weight loss groups and enjoyed the company of the other members. She worked for many years in the laundry department for the school district.

Maxine was a humble person who never desired frills or self-attention. She never had a bad word about others. She was proud to be a devoted wife and mother. Maxine was an impeccable housekeeper and she enjoyed gardening, She and Bob loved to go polka dancing.

Maxine was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Raymond and Rapheal and son-in-law John Morrell.

She is survived by her devoted husband Robert “Bob”; daughters, Denise Morrell and Donna Prideaux; sons, Randy (Melanie) Prideaux and Roger Prideaux; grandsons, Troy (Jessica) Morrell and children Dylan and Madelyn, Ryan Morrell and son Matthew; Trevor Morrell, Tyrel Prideaux and sons Tucker and Toby, and Logan (Emily) Prideaux and daughters Ellie and Elaina; sister-in-law Agnes Sabatka; brother in law Duane (Hazel) Prideaux and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Friday, November 13, 2020, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Atwood, with a vigil at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass is 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 14, 2020, also at the church with burial in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Atwood. Masks are required at the services. Memorials are suggested to the church, Prairie Senior Living Complex or Jayhawk Theatre and can be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com

Maxine’s family is grateful for the care she received during her time at Prairie Senior Living Complex.

Her husband Bob and her children will always be thankful for being blessed with such a wonderful wife and mother. To us she will always be more than a memory, but a living presence in our lives. May she rest in peace.

I loved you then,
I love you still,
I always have,
I always will.
From: Bob.