Maxine Van Rensselaer

Maxine (Muir) Van Rensselaer

August 13, 1917 ~ February 15, 2016

La Habra, CA – Maxine (Muir) Van Rensselaer, 98, passed away on Monday, February 15, 2016 at the Park Regency Retirement Center in La Habra, California. Maxine was born on August 13, 1917, on the family farm in Clinton, Utah, a daughter of William Ray and Goldie (Parker) Muir.  She was the third of seven children, Nolan, Helen, Norman, Howard, Ken, and Darrel. She was reared and educated in Davis County, attending Clinton School and Davis County High School.

In 1936, she joined her brother, Nolan Muir, in California and worked as a Governess to the children of Max Factor, founder of the Max Factor Cosmetic Company.  Because of this experience, she had a lifetime involvement in cosmetics, clothing and interior design.

In 1940, she married Francis S. Van Rensselaer of Los Angeles who, in 1942 joined the Army as part of the war effort.  At that time, Maxine returned to Utah and worked at Hill Air Force Base packing parachutes for B-17 bombers. 

After the war, they relocated to Southern California where they raised their family and she continued her lifetime love of family, flowers, sewing and all things involving travel, especially Hawaii.

She was an active member of the Clinton LDS Ward as well as the West Adams, Huntington Park, Downey, and La Habra Wards of California. She served in various capacities in Primary, Mutual, Sunday School, and Relief Society.

Surviving are her two children, Robert (Cheryl) Van Rensselaer of Downey, CA and Francine (Hal) Coons of Livermore, CA; seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and husband.

Funeral services were held in California. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 11 a.m. at the Ogden City Cemetery, 1875 Monroe Blvd.