Maxine Faye (Zoller) Arriola, 92, of Cambridge passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, surrounded by loved ones at her home. A memorial service will be held on July 10th, at 12 noon, at the Cambridge Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Maxine Faye Arriola
Maxine Faye (Zoller) Arriola, 92, of Cambridge passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, surrounded by loved ones at her home.
Maxine was born on October 14, 1929, in St. Paul, MN, during the Great Depression. She was born to Max and Maude (Bates) Zoller. She grew up as an only child. She attended church school through the Saint Paul First SDA church through 8th grade. She loved to play with her school friends. She especially loved her girlfriend, Helen, who she talked much about. Maxine grew up knowing and loving Jesus. She attended the First church choir where she wore a choir robe and sang in the church loft. She had to quit school to go to work. She worked at Straus Knitting Mills as well as the State of Minnesota Tax Department.
World War II had a huge impact on her, and she often talked about hiding in the closet because she was scared when she heard Pearl Harbor was bombed over the radio. She also talked about VJ day as well, “and almost got kissed by a soldier!” she had said.
She married the love of her life, Frank Arriola, in 1961 in Mason City Iowa. They moved to Blaine in 1962 with two children Marc and Pam and happily began their life. She attended Anoka SDA church where she taught her children to love God and to be thankful for all things given by Him. She was active in the church and loved serving the church. She started a choir with Frank at Andover SDA church that lasted for many years. Maxine was also a Sabbath School teacher for over 20 years and occasionally a deaconess for the church.
Maxine was full of joy and laughter and love. She loved to paint pictures, and draw, and sew. She loved to joke and smile and sing.
Maxine is preceded in death by her mother and father, Max and Maude Zoller; and her husband, Frank Arriola. She is survived by son Marcus Arriola; daughter Pam Grell; and son-in-law David Grell.
Maxine was a prominent figure at the Anoka church whom I remember from a young age. I’ll never forget her talking to my youth Sabbath school class in the 1980’s and she asked if we had any fears about nuclear was as the Cold War was in full swing. She assured us we didn’t need to worry because God would not allow the world to destroy itself. That gave me a lot of comfort at that time through her spiritual and prophetic understanding. I’ll never forget her passion as a Sabbath school teacher either which she did with a lot of zeal and stimulation of discussion. The Anoka church isn’t the same without her. I look forward to seeing her in the kingdom!