MR. MAXIM IWANOW of Lethbridge, beloved husband of the late Mrs. Janina Iwanow, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Sunday, February 21, 2010 at the age of 85 years.

Maxim was born in Babrosk, a little farm town in Belarus, to Konrad and Ahaffadia Iwanow on January 25, 1925. Maxim grew up in a time of great struggle and uncertainty in the Soviet Union under the reign of Joseph Stalin. Maxim's father served as a minister to Joseph Stalin, so it was no surprise when in 1943 he left home to join the German Army. In 1944, Maxim served in the army when they went to war with Russia where he dug bunkers and helped with medical teams. At the end of 1944 he was moved to Berlin and then to the mountains of Germany, where he witnessed the surrender of Czechoslovakia and the end of the war. It was then that they noticed Maxim wasn't from Germany so they took him to a special refugee camp to take care of him. It was thought that he was too young to be in the military, so they then dismissed him and gave him a job working in a restaurant in Hamburg.

In 1947 he moved to Belgium to work in the coalmines. During that time he met Janina, who he married on October 30, 1948. On May 16, 1951 they were blessed with a child, their only daughter Helen. In 1953, Maxim and Janina immigrated to Canada and landed in Halifax on July 4, 1953. They took a train to Raymond, where they settled in and spent much of their married life and raised their daughter.

Maxim worked at various jobs including a general laborer in Waterton, laying pipelines throughout Alberta and in the sugar factory. He then decided to become a carpenter and worked for a construction company for many years, followed by a job as a bench carpenter for the CPR. He then retired and in 1981 moved to Lethbridge, where he spent his final years.
Maxim is survived by his only granddaughter, Jodi Banman (Cameron) of Medicine Hat, one brother Mahodi Iwanow, and one sister Maria, and numerous nieces and nephews in Russia, as well as Henry Szlynski and his 3 children.

Maxim was predeceased by his daughter Helen DeHeer in 2001 and his wife Janina in 2002.

The family wishes to thank all of the many nurses from Lethbridge Home Care for all the care they provided during this time.
Vigil Rites (Prayers) will be held at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at MARTIN BROS. RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 - 4 Street South, Lethbridge.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, February 25, 2010 at ST. BASIL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 604 13 Street North, Lethbridge, with Father Raul Hernandez, celebrant.