Maxine Hamlin, 96

Maxine Hamlin, 96, of Whitefish “went to join ‘Pop’ fishing in heaven” on Aug. 15, 2012, at The Springs of Whitefish.  

After making Christmas dinner for the family, Maxine’s mother walked over to the old Whitefish Hospital and gave birth to her on Dec. 26, 1915. She was the daughter of Ward and Ethel Forcum and the youngest of four children.

Maxine graduated from Whitefish High School in 1933 and attended Eastern Washington College in Cheney, graduating with a teaching certificate in 1936.  She taught for five years in Naches, Wash., and continued her schooling during summers to complete her Bachelor of Arts degree in education, with a minor in home economics and physical education. She then taught for three years in Seattle.

While in Seattle, she met T.E. "Pop" Hamlin, who was serving in the Navy, and they married on Jan. 15, 1944. Their daughter Margy was born in November. They returned to Whitefish in 1946 and another daughter, Judy, arrived in 1948.

Maxine was a substitute teacher for the Whitefish school system and became secretary to the grade school principal. She worked for Mr. Cole, Mr. Elliott and Mr. Nelson, retiring in 1977.

Fishing, camping and family were always a happy time for her. An avid sports fan, she enjoyed watching baseball, football and basketball on television

She was preceded in death by her husband, Pop Hamlin; her parents; brothers Paul and Clarke Forcum, and sister Margaret Parks, and their spouses.

She is survived by her children, Margy and Richard Brown, and Judy Hamlin of Whitefish, grandchildren, Molly and Ken Klapan of Butte, Heidi and Leif Haugen of West Glacier; and great-grandchildren, Kyle and Josie Klapan of Butte; also, Lynda and Terry Nelson of Whitefish, who adopted her as their "Montana Mom"; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Maxine was a member of P.E.O., Eastern Star, and served on both the library board and EA Hinderman Scholarship Committee for many years.

“We cannot thank The Springs of Whitefish enough for all of the great love and care they gave Mom over the last four years, and also Frontier Hospice for the past month.”

At her request, there will be no service.

You are invited to go to www.austinfh.com to offer condolences, share memories and view Maxine’s tribute wall.

Arrangements are entrusted to Austin Funeral Home.