Service Information
Maxine Lillian Engwall, age 102, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, in Hutchinson.
Memorial Service will be held on Monday, January 9, 2023, at 11:00 A.M., at New Journey United Church of Christ in Hutchinson, Minnesota, with interment at a later date.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be held on Sunday, January 8, 2023, from 5:00-8:00 P.M. at Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.
Luncheon to follow at the Crow River Golf Club in Hutchinson.
Memorials preferred.
Obituary
Maxine Engwall, affectionately known as “Max,” of Hutchinson, MN, passed away on December 28, 2022, at the age of 102. She will be remembered for brightening the day of those around her with her warm smile. She loved telling jokes and sharing stories of her life…there are too many to count. Maxine always felt she had it all, and often remarked what a great ‘go around’ it had been.
Maxine Lillian Engwall was born April 18, 1920, in Osceola, Iowa–a community 40 miles south of Des Moines–to Ulysses Samuel and Lillian Mae (Cofield) Bond. She had one older brother, Ugene. Her father, a jeweler and watchmaker, opened U.S. Bond Jewelry in Osceola. The business remained in the family for 102 years.
Maxine received her elementary and high school education in Osceola and attended the University of Iowa. She began her career in media and spent her first years in radio at KRNT in Des Moines. After moving to Hutchinson, she hosted the radio interview program, “Middays with M.L.E.” for KDUZ, and later the video program, “Out and About with Max” for HCVN. Her exuberance for life and love of people was always reflected in these endeavors.
Glen and Maxine married in Hollywood, California, on May 13, 1948. Their wedding was broadcast on “Bride and Groom,” a popular ABC radio program. For 50 years, Glen and Maxine shared a loving, devoted partnership. They entertained frequently on the porch, hosting many memorable parties over the years. They traveled extensively and spent winters in Hawaii and Florida.
Glen and Maxine were blessed with two children, Greg and Barb, and four grandchildren, Tom, Dan, Laura, and Sam. Maxine's children and grandchildren were the treasures and joys of her life. And she sure loved talking about them!
Maxine was a member of the First Congregational Church and served on many committees and boards. She belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star and was a long-time member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. She spent many years as a legal secretary and later with the hospital, Burns Manor, and Harmony River. She was a friendly face to all and loved to welcome visitors with a ‘joke of the day.’ In 2019, Maxine was named Hutchinson Jaycees Woman of the Year and enjoyed a summer full of parades, parties, and new friends.
Max was ‘one in a million.’
Maxine is survived by her daughter, Barb Mahler (Steve); daughter-in-law, Jeanne Engwall; grandchildren, Tom (Nikki), Dan, Laura Engwall, and Sam Mahler; nieces and nephews and MANY friends. Maxine is preceded in death by her husband, Glen Engwall; son, Greg Engwall; brother, Ugene Bond; and parents, Ulysses and Lillian Bond.
Cathy Kraft says
Love to the Engwall family.
Dave& Kris E says
Oh, Dear Maxi…..Our Angel!!! We were certainly Blessed to have Shared Our lives with You…Will Always Hold You Dear in Our Hearts!!!
Shannon Lyons says
Hutchinson and the world have lost a great lady today. Our hearts go out to all of Max’s family and friends, especially her dear daughter Barb. Max’s stories, friendship, and jokes will be missed. Love you, sweetheart!
Joyce Rath says
Max I will miss your stories, your endless joy for life, but most of all your jokes.
Deepest condolences to Maxine’s family.
Rachele says
I am very sad to hear of this news! Max was a co-worker of mine for many years and would always have a smile and a joke ready. She was a great story teller! I will definitely miss her!
Amber says
Oh Maxine, You will be missed! You were a lovely, sweet, kind, daring, generous, humorous lady to say the least. We shared a birthday and you never let me forget it. You had the most wonderful stories and an amazing life story. I could sit for hours and talk to you. Thanks for sharing your passion with us. Truly loved your sense of humor and jokes you always had to share. Sympathies to Barb and the rest of your family and friends.
NITA TOTUSHEK says
Maxine, what a beautiful lady inside and out. Always a joy to talk to and hear her stories. I will always remember them.
My sympathies to the family.
Grace and Gene Chrast says
Our deepest condolences and sympathy to Maxine’s family. She was sooooo proud of all of you. We visited often when Gene entertained the residents at Harmony River. She would always keep us up to date on what you were all doing. We loved her stories. I especially like the one about how they had “won” their wedding. She will be truly missed, but heaven has gained a fantastic angel.
jack sommerness says
i met maxine june 4,1956 when we moved to town..she was two houses away judge morrison was between us….
my brother tom was same age as greg (both of them passed at early age)
My deepest regrets Barb !! Jack
Mary says
Deepest sympathy for Max’s family. Always a smile and kind words. She never forgot a name was my greatest memory of Max.
Ronn Tulman says
What a wonderful wonderful woman. My mother’s very best friend. She will be missed by all.
Glenda N says
I so enjoyed listening to this wonderful lady, always a smile to greet you and a story to tell and end with a laugh. My deepest sympathy to her family and friends.
Megan Bah says
I was blessed to have met Maxine one Friday night after she called Culver’s wanting to know if we delivered food. She said she was “a very old lady that was just sad on a gloomy, rainy day.” Of course I had to find her and give her a hug and some chicken tenders!!! She told me she was just having a rough day, missing her child and husband that had passed. I told her I had lost children, too, and that I knew those gloomy days could be hard sometimes! I got to share a hug and then some messages back and forth with her over the next few months. She also left me the sweetest voicemail. “Love you” she said.
Maxine was a beautiful lady with a beautiful heart! I wish I could have met her years ago and spent more time with her. Sending so much love to her family ?
Michele Ebert says
She was a angel on earth and now in heaven.
Janice Heintz says
Maxine’s love for life and family made her special. We will miss her smile.
Sydney says
I always remember seeing Maxine at the library with her stroller to carry her books. She had the best jokes and always brought a smile to everyone’s face. She had such a huge impact on those she met, and will be dearly missed
Pat Chapman says
Max was happy in the life she lived. Max’s life had some hard times and reasons to be angry but she always tried to keep a super positive attitude.
I will miss max and her smiling voice and jokes.
Everyone gets one life to live and she lived hers to its fullest. She definitely was one of my life heros!
Wayne Anderson says
Maxine was one of a kind. A great spirit and an inspiration! I wish I had a recording of some of the stories she told and the talks we had. She will be truly missed. My deepest condolences to Barb and the rest of Maxine’s family. _Wayne
Doug and Julie Fett says
When my mom first moved to Harmony River, Max made us feel like family. Her bright smile and cheerful attitude made things so much easier for us. Her stories made us laugh when we needed a laugh. We missed her terribly when she retired. We regret not having taken her up on her invitation to have a drink on the porch. Our deepest condolences to her family. She loved you so much.
Marilyn Denler says
Glen and Maxine were neighbors of ours back in the 80’s when Julian and I lived on Juergens Rd. You couldn’t ask for better neighbors. My sympathy to her family and friends.
Paula Kirkpatrick says
Hutchinson has lost the best of its citizens. Max was a joy, a light, a “one of a kind” gem that no one could match. She made each person she met feel special. Her stories and jokes were legend. There is a hole in my heart. She will be so missed!
Janel Timm says
Sweet Maxine you were always such a joy to visit with on the way to see my mom. I Loved your stories of your trips to florida and how you looked forward to it every time. I love how seeing you every visit was a breathe of fresh air every human should have had the pleasure of experiencing. You were truly a wonderful lady. My condolences to your Family.
Sarah (Dressel) Ruder says
I loved working with Max at Burns Manor. She was always smiling. She will be missed by so many.
Mary Christensen says
Max was a treasure, a gem of a lady. I will miss our talks, her humor and her great stories. Rest In Peace Max.
Condolences to her family. Blessings to All.
Marla schneider says
Maxine was such a joy to see at Harmony River when my mother Lyla Latzig was there. My mom would wheel down to see her and talk to her. She had a great life and blessed many!
Jacque Glas says
Barb, I was just remembering my favorite thing about New Year, as a kid, was the many New Year’s Days our families spent together. Football, card games, eating. Loved our family’s friendship for so many years!
Magnus Lindmark says
I am sorry to hear about Max’s passing. I met Max, Glen and Barb on a train to Venice in 1981. We have kept in touch since then via mail/email, and they also visited us in Sweden once. She had such a positive and caring attitude, and a great sense of humor!
Lois Hanson says
Maxine was such a gem. When she worked for the McGraw Law Office, my husband Earl used to joke that Maxine was his attorney as she was in charge of the office. Such a legacy she has left in Hutchinson. Always kind and I don’t think she ever forgot a good story. Many times when we came back to MN for a visit from our new (now permanent) home in AZ we tried to stop in to see Max. Such a great smile and one of a kind. She will truly be missed. Our hearts go out to her family. Barb – you have always had Max’s spirit and drive. So glad I got to see you at our reunion last summer.
Suzi Swarthout says
Barb and family…your mom touched so many lives! One of my co-workers at Wells Fargo in Minneapolis one day was talking about this amazing lady that worked at Harmony River in Hutchinson and started sharing stories – I immediately knew he was talking about Max. Our world is indeed small! We first met when I was her “egg lady” while in school…and that friendship continued over the years. May the Lord’s comfort and peace be upon you….
Hart & Barb Rosebrock says
So sorry for your loss. Max was always had a smile when we visited my dad at Harmony River. The world has truly loss a wonderful person.
Sandy says
Max was truly a shining star wherever she went. She lit up the room with her presence! She loved life and so proud of her family. She enjoyed life and brought joy and laughter to everyone around her. I will miss her dearly. Just a very caring and kind heart! I hold her dear to my heart. My sympathy to Barb and the rest of the family.
Jan Casey says
How do you leave a tribute as special as Max? I met Max while working at Hutchinson Area Health Care. Although I moved out of the community, we never lost touch. She was truly a special person from her sincere interest in each and every person to her stories and adventures and her zest for life. I will miss her, but am so blessed to have had her in my life. She’s now free to party with Glen in heaven as the angel she’s been to so many! Love you Max!
Jeffrie S. Bond says
Max was my Auntie Max. I have no doubt…I was her favorite nephew. I hadn’t cried until just now, reading the outpouring of friendship and love I knew she had impacted on all her friends and family over oh so many years. Every morning since December 28th I’ve been waking up with the unbelievable, surreal thought, ‘My Auntie is gone. I never knew a world with my dear, sweet Auntie Max.’ I could share so much over the 68 years I knew her. But I hope you will indulge me instead by leaving lyrics to one of her favorite songs,
I’ll be seeing you
In all the old familiar places
That this heart of mine embraces
All day through
In that small cafe
The park across the way
The children’s carousel
The chestnut trees, the wishin’ well
I’ll be seeing you
In every lovely summer’s day
In everything that’s light and gay
I’ll always think of you that way
I’ll find you in the morning sun
And when the night is new
I’ll be looking at the moon
But I’ll be seeing you
I don’t know where we go when we die, but I’ve an idea, wherever it is, it’s a better place now that my Auntie Max is there. I love you, my dear cousin Barb, and the entire Engwall family. And Auntie…you’ll never really be gone. In all things beautiful and lovely and precious to me…I’ll be seeing you.
Jeffrie Scott Bond says
Of course, I meant to say “I never knew a world WITHOUT my dear, sweet Auntie Max.”
Allie Ramsey says
Dear, Sweet, Aunti Max, you were so loved by everybody who met you. You made each of us feel special, and important. You were the foundation of the family, an angel on earth. We love you Auntie
Cindy S says
I was so saddened to see Max passed! I worked with her at harmony river she was a blessing to all who meant her! She had a smile that just warmed your heart and whenever you talked with her you felt loved! She’ll be missed by many so loved!