Maxine 'Max' or 'Bunny' Martin, 86

Maxine “Max” or “Bunny” Martin, age 86, of Renton, Wash., died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. She was 86 years old.

She was born Feb. 17, 1939, in Wadena, Minn., to O.E. “Swede” and Lillian Monson. She moved with her family to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in 1942. She was raised in Coeur d’Alene and graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1957. After high school, she attended nursing school at Trinity Hospital School of Nursing in Minot, N.D.

Maxine married her childhood love, David Martin, in 1962, and the newlyweds moved to Fort Worth, Texas, to attend Texas Christian University. While working as a hospital nurse in Fort Worth, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from TCU in August 1965. She then supported her husband as they moved to Omaha, Neb., where he completed a Master of Social Work degree.

Maxine and her husband returned to Idaho in 1969 and lived in Genesee for more than 10 years. Maxine worked in nursing home regulation in the Moscow area, including serving as the Director of Nursing at Latah Convalescent Home. In 1980, Maxine and Dave moved back to the Coeur d’Alene area, where she taught nursing for more than 30 years at North Idaho College, Lewis-Clark State College and Gonzaga University.

Maxine earned two master’s degrees, one in Nursing and one in Guidance and Counseling, and later received a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of Idaho.

Maxine was deeply devoted to both her family and her nursing profession. As a nurse, educator and mentor, she shaped countless lives through her extensive knowledge of nursing, compassion and commitment to excellence, while her love and devotion to family and friends were a constant source of strength for those close to her.

She is survived by her husband, David Martin; daughter Lizbeth Martin-Mahar and son-in-law Aziz Mahar of Des Moines, Wash.; daughter Debby Martin of Redmond, Wash.; sister and brother-in-law Virginia and Norm Warren of Spokane, Wash.; sister-in-law Deanna Monson of Spokane, Wash.; and grandson Zachary Mahar of Seattle, Wash.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Don Monson (2025) and Chuck Monson (1994); sister-in-law Keva Monson (2014); and sister-in-law and brother-in-law June Jenkins (2019) and Dave Jenkins (1998).

A memorial service for Maxine Martin will be held Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 1 p.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church, 812 N. Fifth St., in Coeur d’Alene. She will be laid to rest near her parents at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens.

In remembrance of Maxine’s life as a nursing educator, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to organizations providing nursing scholarships, such as the following: Idaho Nursing and Health Professions Scholarship, Washington State Nurses Foundation and Foundation of the National Student Nurses Association.