Max R. Henderson

Max Raymond Henderson, the oldest of four sons of Georgia Ellen (McGill) and Roy Milton Henderson, was born on January 1, 1928 near Silver City, Iowa. Max grew up and attended country school near Silver City until his freshman year in 1943. The family then moved near Macedonia, Iowa where Max graduated from the Macedonia Consolidated School in 1946. Following school, Max farmed with his father.

Max and Melva Lavonne Bentley were married on August 17, 1948 at the United Methodist Church in Macedonia. They made their first home in Emerson, Iowa where Melva worked as chief telephone operator. They later moved to rural Malvern, Iowa to farm the C.F. Shaw farm. Five years later, they moved to a farm near Red Oak, Iowa and lived for two years before moving to a farm in the Wesley Chapel neighborhood north of Hastings, Iowa. Three years later, they moved to the Carson and Macedonia, Iowa area. During these years of their marriage, Max and Melva were blessed with five children, Charles David, Donald Lynn, Elaine Ellen, Maureen Kay, and James Everett. Eventually, Max purchased an acreage near Macedonia and he and Melva established Henderson Construction. Max operated a dozer, maintaining soil conservation and building field terraces for area farmers. He was a member of the Land Improvement Contractors of America. One by one, each of his sons joined into the family business which continues today.

Max raised horses throughout his life and eventually raised and trained two teams of driving mules.

Max was a member of the Macedonia United Methodist Church and had served on the church board. He enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren, fishing, camping, snowmobile riding, and on occasion, a generous serving of homemade blueberry pie.

In 2001, Max was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, which forced him to retire. He entered the Griswold Care Center in Griswold, Iowa on March 17, 2004. Max passed away on January 20, 2009, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, Iowa at the age of 81 years and 19 days. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Ronald Henderson; and his grandson, Edward Koffman.

Max is survived by his wife of 60 years, Melva Henderson of Macedonia; children, Charles Henderson and wife Mary of Macedonia, Donald Henderson of Griswold, IA, Elaine Thompson and husband Dennis of Linn Creek, MO, Maureen Hostetler and husband Dennis of Boone, IA, and Jim Henderson and wife Marylynn of Macedonia; 15 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; brothers, Gerald Henderson of Ekalaka, MT, and Tom Henderson and wife Vicky of Carson, IA; sister-in-law Carol Gravett of Carson, IA; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.

A memorial fund has been established.