Max S. Montgomery

Max Montgomery entered into eternal rest on August 18, 2024, at the Bridges of Ankeny in Ankeny, IA, where he had resided since April of 2024. Visitation is Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at Kloster Funeral Home in Brooklyn, Iowa, from 4-7 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, August 22, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., at the First Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn, with Pastor Lisa Whitmarsh Peterson officiating. Burial will be at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, August 22, 2024, at the Brooklyn Memorial Cemetery, Brookyn, Iowa, with Military Honors conducted by the U.S. Army Honor Guard and the Brooklyn American Legion Post # 294.

Max was born on November 14, 1938, son of William John Montgomery and Ramona Scott Montgomery. He was educated in Brooklyn Schools and graduated with the class of 1956. Max then worked for his uncle, Ed Montgomery, at the Philips Petroleum Station in Brooklyn. Max purchased the business in 1960, and expanded it to include locations in Brooklyn, Montezuma and a truck stop on Interstate 80. Max married Elizabeth Fowler on August 5, 1960. He was drafted into the Army, and stationed in Germany. He and Elizabeth used his time off-base to travel throughout Europe.

Max took classes from Bell and Howell, studying electronics and how to repair them. He graduated in 1973, and sold the petroleum business, opening Montgomery TV and Electronics on Front Street in Brooklyn. He sold that business in 1992. He later worked for Inter-County Cable and Brooklyn Communications Company until his retirement in 2003. Max later moved to Ankeny, IA, and was offered a job at Mill-Pond Retirement community driving a van a few hours a week. This job eventually became full-time; Max enjoyed the staff and residents very much.

Max was very talented; he could fix anything! He enjoyed fishing, gem hunting, gold mining in Alaska, growing orchids, woodworking, building grandfather clocks, oil painting and wildlife photography. He volunteered and taught a wildlife photography class each fall in the Great Smoky Mountains. One of the photos he took of a bear was published in a wildlife magazine. One of Max’s favorite memories was the oil painting class he took with Bob Rossi. He and Elizabeth enjoyed traveling to all 50 states. Max followed the Chicago Cubs and the Iowa Hawkeye teams, such a loyal fan!

Known for his kindness and sense of humor, Max was much loved. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Elizabeth in 1998, brothers Dean and Bill, as well as nephews Jimmy and Bill Montgomery, Jr, and niece DeAnn Montgomery. He is survived by his nephews Michael Montgomery (Mary) and David Montgomery (Carla), and niece Mary Lang (Craig) and their families: James Montgomery (Lesley), Sarah Hosack (Tom), Taylor Kuhn (Ryan), Jessica Bloomberg (Justin), Chase Lang (Sylvona), Dane Lang and Cade Lang (Katie) and many great-great nieces and nephews. He greatly cherished his friendship with Vicky Kelley and his adopted family: Tony and Jen Perez, Keegan Perez (Hannah), Kylie Perez, Kolin Perez, and Trevor Perez. He was especially fond of dogs throughout his life, and enjoyed Trevor’s dog, Rizzo, very much.

A memorial fund has been established at the First Presbyterian Church, 503 Clay Street, Brooklyn, IA, 52211.