Max E. Hollander

Max E. Hollander, 95, of Fairfield, Iowa, passed away April 7, 2017, at Sunset Terrace Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Winfield, Iowa.

Funeral service and visitation will be held Wednesday, April 12, 2017, at First Lutheran Church, 201 W. Briggs Ave., Fairfield, IA, with Pastor Greg Friedrich officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00-3:00 pm with the service to begin at 3:00 pm. Burial with military rites will be at Fairfield Evergreen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Salina Cemetery Association or First Lutheran Church of Fairfield. Condolences may be sent to Mary Ann Young or Karen Bush at 2835 Salina Rd, Fairfield, IA, 52556.

Born February 10, 1922, in Salina, Iowa, Max was the son of Paul Clifford and Irene Eveline Hillman Hollander. He was a 1939 graduate of Fairfield High School. Max married his high school sweetheart, Maizie Berg, on February 18th, 1943. They celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary before Maizie passed away in 2005.

He honorably served his country from 1942-1945 in the European Theater of Operations during WW II constructing air strips. He received four Bronze Battle Stars and eleven Victory Medals. His life-long patriotism is evidenced by his commitment to local veterans’ groups. For over 30 years he continued the bond among fellow comrades through reunions of the 843rd Army Engineer Aviation Battalion. In 2009 he participated on the Honor Flight to Washington D.C.

Three generations of Hollanders have been farming in the Salina community for over 127 years. This Century Farm operation is a result of hard work, patience, and dedication by Max and Maizie, who took great pride in being stewards of the land for future generations. With support from Joyce Calhoun, his caregiver, Max was able to reside at his family farm and remain active in his community.

Hollander Insurance has served the needs of the community for over 88 years with the distinction of being the second oldest business in Jefferson County. Max and Maizie worked side-by-side for 55 years to build this successful agency founded on providing the best customer service while meeting the risk management needs of their customers.

Max was a dedicated public servant through board membership on Access Energy Cooperative for 27 years, Soil Conservation District for 25 years, Jefferson County Hospital for 15, Jefferson County Mutual Insurance, a charter member of the Fairfield Kiwanis Club, and a lifetime member of the local Veterans of Foreign War Post. He was a member of Clara Lutheran Church of Salina, the First Lutheran Church of Fairfield, and served on the Salina Cemetery Board.

Max was preceded in death by his wife, Maizie Berg Hollander; his parents, Paul C. and Irene Hillman Hollander; his brother, Paul Hollander, Jr.; his nephew, John Hollander; his son-in-law, Michael Bush; and his grandson, Alan Bush.

Survivors include his two daughters, Mary Ann (Bill) Young of Des Moines, Iowa; Karen Bush of Ankeny; granddaughter Stacy (John) Williams, great-grandchildren, Nathan and Natalie Williams of Ankeny; great-nephews, Grant and Mitchell Hollander Andrews of Madison, Wisconsin.

Max will be remembered for his kind and generous spirit, his love of country, his land stewardship, and his commitment to carry on his father’s legacy to serve the insurance needs of so many in the community. Max’s commitment to family and community will be felt for generations.