Emma Maxine (Smith) Flynn was born on February 22, 1926 in Maitland, Missouri. She was the first child born to Vernon T. and Anna Blanche (McKinney) Smith. She lost her courageous battle with cancer, but won eternal peace with God on January 2, 2010.

Maxine's parents moved to Northboro, IA when she was five months old. Her father owned a garage and gas station. Maxine graduated from Northboro High School with the Class of 1943. During her high school years she played basketball, and especially enjoyed the band and chorus. She joined the Methodist Church in Northboro.

Maxine was united in marriage to Cecil Flynn in Hiawatha, KS on November 29, 1946. She worked for Henry Field Seed & Nursery in the office and in 1966, she began working at Nishna Valley Lumber Company, as a bookkeeper. She later retired and provided child care from her home. She had fond memories of teaching Sunday School at Memorial Baptist Church in Shenandoah and later joined the Nishna Valley Christian Church, where she was blessed with many new friends. She loved to praise God through her music.

Maxine was preceded in death by her husband Cecil, son Patrick Flynn, her parents, a loving mother-in-law Lillie Flynn, a brother Lawrence "Bud" Smith, a sister Mary Smith, numerous brothers and sisters-in-laws, and nieces Beverly Almquist, Nancy Heard, and Kristie Rasmussen.

Those left to cherish her memory include her sons Michael Flynn of Shenandoah and Danny Flynn of Des Moines, IA; a daughter Sharon Riley and husband Jerry of Pittsburg, KS; a sister Wanda Rasmussen of Seattle, WA; grandchildren Amy McClintock and husband Chad, Shawn Flynn and wife Heather, Patrick Riley and wife Marcie, Mark Flynn, Emily Valquier, Joseph Riley, Natalie Rockwell and husband Tim, Kerry Riley, Jennifer Flynn, and Nick Flynn; 12 great-grandchildren; a host of other relatives and friends.