Maxine Trafton

Visitation: Friday, October 2, 2009 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City until 5:00pm.

Funeral services: Saturday, October 3, 2009 at 2:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church.

Interment: will be held at a later date.

Maxine Lucille Markland Trafton, (Mrs. Leslie H. Trafton), age 88, of Miles City, MT passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at the Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City.

Maxine was born on October 21, 1920 in Miles City, the eldest daughter of Charles and Nellie Berkey Markland. She was educated in the Miles City schools, graduating from CCHS in 1939. After graduation the family moved to Texas where she attended Tyler Jr. College for one year. She then returned to Miles City and attended Custer County Jr. College, now Miles Community College for a year. Maxine and Leslie H. Trafton were married at Fort Lewis, Washington on December 26, 1941. She worked as secretary for the National Farm Loan Officer of the Federal Land Bank of Spokane in Miles City and Glendive before WWII. After WWII she worked for Custer Abstract and Title Co. followed by five years for the then County Attorney James P. Lucas and also part time for several other Miles City attorneys. She was a secretary part time at MCC when it was housed at the Milwaukee Depot and full time when MCC moved to its present location. Maxine retired from MCC in 1968. She later assisted in the County office transcribing minutes for the Custer County Tax Appeal Board.

Maxine was a lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church. She was also a member of Ash Creek FCB, Custer County Art and Heritage Center, Range Riders Reps and earlier affiliated PEO.

Maxine was preceded in death by her husband Leslie, sister Betty Lou (Soukup) and niece Lorna Soukup of Wheat Ridge, CO and sister-in-law Alma Trafton Burke of Seattle. She is survived by her sons Bruce (Barbara) of Sandy, Utah, Keith (Pat), Grandson Justin and Great-Grandson Tannin of Helena, MT, sister Hildred (Mrs. C.E. Sandy of Albuquerque, New Mexico, brother-in-law Jack Burke of Seattle, WA and Miles City cousin Jean Tennant and Ray (Jan) Miller. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 2, 2009 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City until 5:00pm. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2009 at 2:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church. Interment will be held at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City has been entrusted with the arrangements.