Obituary of Maxine Hartwig Lovegrove

Maxine Hartwig Lovegrove Heaven is a sweeter place now that Maxine Hartwig Lovegrove resides there. The legendary baker that has whipped up wedding mints for no less than a dozen weddings, pies, pastries and more Christmas cookies than you can count, passed into Heaven on August 26, 2014 surrounded by her husband of 30 years, Roy Lovegrove, her amazing daughter and two of her four granddaughters. Born Maxine Marie Morrow in Douds, Iowa on May 1, 1928 to Lester and Leota Morrow; she grew up the baby sister of the family. Her brothers Murl and Glenn were notoriously "busted" because of her tattling. She learned to swing a hammer at an early age thanks to her carpenter father, which is also where she acquired her superior baking skills from her mother and grandmother. Maxine married the love of her life, Wayne Hartwig on May 4, 1946, after battling for her health against meningitis. The two lovebirds moved to the Marine Corps base at Paris Island, South Carolina just as World War II was ending. Upon moving back to Iowa, this time Morse, outside of Iowa City, Wayne and Maxine got down to raising a family. Nicholas Wayne was soon followed by Nancy Kaye (Leonard) and then Patricia Joan (Barnes). Another son, Jeffrey Lee came later. Playing and taking care of her children, listening to Cubs games and baking was an average day. After her first son was diagnosed with Duchene Muscular Dystrophy - Maxine became an advocate for children with disabilities. A role that became more meaningful when her second son was also diagnosed with Duchene Muscular Dystrophy. Maxine loved children. She was an active foster parent for pre-adoption infants in Iowa City in the 1950's. She went on to love and pass on her love of baking (and secret Christmas cookie recipes) to her four granddaughters Angela (Bettis) Try, Jodie (Bettis) Sealey, Erin (Leonard) Schroeder and Lisa (Leonard) Hinkle. Some caught on better than others! She also celebrated the birth of her 10 great-grandchildren and has another on the way. Maxine is already celebrating in heaven with her husband Wayne Hartwig, sons, Nicholas and Jeff Hartwig, daughter, Nancy Leonard and brother Merle Morrow, who have been waiting patiently for her arrival. Her larger than life personality, loving hugs and Christmas cookies and candy will be missed every single day by her husband, Roy Lovegrove, brother, Glen Morrow, daughter, Patty (Steve) Barnes and every single one of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. So we raise a glass of wine as we sit down to play a game of Aggravation in her honor. There will never be anyone to fill her shoes. Please join the family as we celebrate her life at Davis-Anderson Funeral Home in Girard. Visitation will be held Friday, August 29, 2014 from 4:00 to 7:00 with a Memorial Service at 7:00pm. A graveside service is planned for Saturday, August 30, 3014 in Selma, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, Maxine would prefer donations be made in her honor to the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Springfield, Illinois