Maxine Rykken

Maxine May (Mecham) Rykken, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2026, in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, at the age of 96.

Maxine was born on March 2, 1929, in Kilgore, Nebraska, to Addison Guy and Bertha May Mecham. She married Burton Rykken in 1949, and together they shared 60 years of marriage and raised two daughters before his passing in 2009. They made their home in Crystal, Minnesota, where Maxine was known for generously opening her home to family, friends, and neighbors. She was a longtime, active member of St. James Lutheran Church. Maxine also worked downtown for many years at Northwestern Bell.

In addition to their home in Crystal, Maxine and Burton cherished time spent at their cabin on Mule Lake in northern Minnesota and enjoyed winters in Mesa, Arizona. In recent years, she resided at St. Therese in Brooklyn Park.

Maxine was known for her kindness, strong will, and desire to experience life to the fullest. She found joy in everyday moments, from her daily walk, often up to five miles, to sitting on the floor playing with her grandchildren. After years of caring for her husband, she embraced travel and adventure, including a safari in Tanzania, a trip to Peru to see Machu Picchu, and visits to Australia, Europe, and New York City. At 83, she even went skydiving with her daughter and granddaughter, a reflection of her fearless and curious spirit.

Maxine is survived by her daughters, Debora Marquette (David) and Robin Johnson (Roger); her grandchildren, Jeremy Peterson (Savannah) and Courtney Blakely (Robert); and her great-grandchildren, Simone and Vivienne Blakely. She was preceded in death by her husband, Burton Rykken, and her great-grandson, Derek Peterson.

A funeral service will be held Friday, January 16, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior, and luncheon to follow at St. James Lutheran Church, 6700 46th Place North, Crystal, Minnesota. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorials to the American Heart Association.