Maxine M. Orke, 94, of Rochester, passed away Monday, July 24, 2017 at Madonna Benedictine Center.

Maxine was born Wednesday, August 23, 1922. She grew up in Le Roy, where she met her husband Melvin. The couple eventually moved to Rochester, MN where they raised their six children. Maxine attended St Theresa College in Winona, MN at the age of 60 to earn a degree in accounting. She worked in the Investment Department at Mayo Clinic for 26 years.

She retired in 1993 and remained dedicated to supporting Mayo Clinic's effort towards greater medical advances. Maxine ultimately gave the greatest gift by donating her body to support Alzheimer, heart and other research at Mayo Clinic where she participated in medical studies and maintained extensive records of her health.

Maxine was a kind and highly intelligent woman who remained lively until the end of her years. She was a member of several bridge groups and active in an investment club. She enjoyed golf and loved to travel. Maxine was more than a 60-year member of St. Johns Evangelist Church. Maxine took great pleasure in spending time with her family and friends.

Maxine is preceded in death by her husband, Melvin; brother, Robert Regan; and sisters, Lorraine Dougherty, Marie Lewison, and Mary Stiles.

She is survived by six children, Sandy Damm (Keith), Joan, Jim (Sharon), Dennis (Janet), Bobbie (Mark), and Bill (Mari); 19 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Don Regan and Bill Regan.

A Memorial Mass will take place at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, August 24, at The Church of St. John the Evangelist with Rev. Msgr. Gerald Mahon officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to Mass.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Madonna Towers and Mayo Clinic Hospice.