Maxine H. Alexander, 91, died Dec. 1, 2007, at her home, Hutchinson.

She was born Aug. 2, 1916, in Sloan, Iowa, the oldest daughter of Dan and Leola Polly Hunter. She graduated from Sloan High School in 1934. She received a degree in physical education from Iowa State Teacher's College, (now the University of Northern Iowa) in 1938 and did graduate work at New York University. She taught physical education in Iowa public schools for four years.

From 1942 to 1945, Maxine served as a recreation worker for the American Red Cross. She was assigned to Army field hospitals in North Africa, Corsica and France. She met her husband, Lt. Col. William T. Alexander, Jr., while they were both stationed in Corsica. They were married on June 20, 1945, in Paris, France. He died on May 6, 1994.

After returning to the United States, Maxine and Bill lived in Emporia, KS, for two years. They moved to Osawatomie in 1947 and opened their first Ben Franklin Store. In 1959, the family moved to Hutchinson and opened a Ben Franklin Store on Main Street. They expanded to a second store in South Hutchinson in 1976. Subsequently, additional stores in Hutchinson and Kingman were also opened. The couple retired in 1993.

Maxine was active in the community until her death. She was a member of the First Christian Church, Soroptimist International of Hutchinson and the Athena Club. She was a volunteer for the American Red Cross and other local organizations.

Survivors include: three sons, Phil and his wife, Jeanine, Wichita, Craig and his wife, Jill, Wichita, and John and his wife, Kay, Ely, Iowa; two daughters, Ann Moyer, Hutchinson, and Chris Irwin and her husband, Anthony, Topeka; a sister, Helen Weant, High Point, N.C.; a brother-in-law, Barney Hester, Cherokee, Iowa; 13 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and four step-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Ramona Hester.

Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 7, 2007, at the First Christian Church, 15 East Fifth, Hutchinson, with the Rev. John Warring and the Rev. Kim Biery presiding. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at Elliott Mortuary, 1219 North Main, Hutchinson, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Private family graveside service will be held prior to the memorial service.

Memorials may be sent to the First Christian Church or Hospice of Reno County, both in care of the mortuary.

Personal condolences may be sent to www.elliottmortuary.com.