Maxine Dickey Gunderson

Maxine Phyllis Dickey Gunderson, age 89, of Trent, passed away on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. A time to greet the family will be from 5-6:30 PM Friday, October 17, 2025, at Minnehaha Funeral Home in Dell Rapids, with a memorial service beginning at 6:30 PM. Interment will be at a later date at Trent Cemetery.

Maxine was born on December 15, 1935, to Roy and Caroline (Eichhorn) Ellis on her grandparent’s farm between Montrose and Canistota. She attended school in Montrose and for a few years in country school. She graduated from Montrose High School in 1953. On November, 22, 1955, she married Dale Dickey at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Montrose. They settled in rural Trent on Dale’s family’s farm and then later moved into Trent in 1978. Maxine began working as a nursing assistant at the Terrace Manor Nursing Home and later of Odd Fellow Nursing Home, both in Dell Rapids. She then returned to Terrace Manor and worked there until her retirement. Dale passed away in 2001. Maxine then married Edgar Gunderson in 2006 and they lived in Maxine’s home in Trent. Edgar passed away in 2014 and Maxine moved into Dell Rapids.

Maxine is survived by her son, Bob (Pam) Dickey, Trent; six grandchildren: Melissa (Jeremy) Elverud, Kelci Olson, Lance (Kc) Dickey, Doreen (Dillon) Root, Amber Greene, and Austin Greene; nine great grandchildren: Trenten, Eathen, Payten, Jayden, Kaden, Jacob, Anna, James, and Raelynn; brother, Duane (Bonnie) Ellis; brother-in-law, Bob Graham; sister-in-law, Sharon Ellis; and her special friend, Max Land. She was preceded in death by her parents Roy and Caroline Ellis; step-dad, Walt Ellis; husbands, Dale Dickey, and Edgar Gunderson; daughter, Dawn Vander Vegte; infant sons, Darrel and Roger Dickey; brother, Don; and sister, Virginia.