Iona Maxine (Luing) Omvig (1919-2017)

OMVIG, LUING, DOWNING, CHITTY, HANSON, MAINE, COPPOLA, FIGUEROA, TOFT, SCHWARZENBACH, MULLIHAN, HAMILTON, SUGGS, HALLOCK

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 2/4/2017 at 11:01:46

Obituary From Adams Soderstrum Funeral Home, Story County, Iowa.

Generous, loving mother and doting, cookie-baking grandma Maxine Omvig died Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, Iowa, after suffering a stroke at her home at Cedar Place in Story City. She was 97 years old. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 30, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Story City with Pastor Kurt Jensen officiating and visitation beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at the Fairview Cemetery in Story City.

Visitation with family will be held Sunday, January 29, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Soderstrum Funeral Home, 618 Lafayette, in Story City.

Born Iona Maxine Luing on July 5, 1919 to Fred and Ica Downing Luing at Collins, Iowa, she was the third of the farm couple’s four children and a graduate of Collins High School Class of 1936.

In the 1940s she worked for Collegiate Manufacturing in Ames, Iowa, creating not only college pennants and other scholastic memorabilia, but also uniforms for World War II servicemen—and friendships that lasted throughout her life.

While working in Ames, she met her future husband Elmer Albert Omvig of Story City. (Rumor has it that Elmer whistled at Max while she was walking down the street with her friends. It was true—and he had great taste.)

The couple married March 5, 1950 and lived in Ames until their first child was born and then moved to a farm west of the city. They eventually relocated to the Lund farm west of Story City where they raised their daughter Ann Marie and son Galen. They were members of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Over the years Maxine enjoyed being a member of such organizations as Wa Tan Ye Club, a women’s service group; her neighborhood 500 card club; Farm Bureau; TOPs; her church’s Ladies Aid; and supporting her children in 4-H and their school and church activities. She worked for Randall Corporation in Ames for more than 20 years. For years she selflessly helped her widowed father-in-law Albert Omvig and her two bachelor brothers-in-law Lawrence and Norman, with cooking, cleaning, and laundry. When it came to her grandchildren—the joys of her life—she was there to help care for them on a daily basis.

After Elmer died January 22, 1996, friends rallied and kept her busy attending country music jams, church events, and other outings. In later life a highlight for her were the weekend trips to her daughter’s home at Clear Lake where family frequently gathered. (Bring on the fireworks!!)

A child of the depression, Maxine was hardworking and always willing to help those who needed her. Pieces of her past can be found stitched into the countless quilts and comforters she created. Friends and family recall with longing her beautifully arranged trays of Christmas cookies—up to 16 different kinds. Her home was a place family and friends loved to be. She was proud of her children and grandchildren—and they’re so proud of her.

Maxine was preceded in death by her husband Elmer Omvig; parents Ica and Fred Luing; sister Juanita Chitty; brother Wendell Luing; in-laws Albert and Annie Omvig; sisters-in-law Lilly Omvig Hanson, Faye Rude Luing, and Lenora Vasey Luing; brothers-in-law Lawrence Omvig, Norman Omvig, and Vernon Chitty; and nephew Darryl Chitty.

She is survived by her 100-year-old brother Forrest Luing of Nevada, Iowa; daughter Ann Omvig Maine and her husband Michael of Des Moines; son Galen Elmer Omvig of Story City; granddaughters Emily Coppola (Kyle) of Des Moines and Kelsey Omvig Figueroa (Jason) of Alpine, Wyoming; grandson Garrett Omvig (Suyheon) of Chicago; and nine nieces and nephews she loved dearly: Judy Hanson Toft (Ev), JoAnn Hanson Schwarzenbach, Terry Hanson (Linda), Darwin Luing (Janet), Charlene Luing Mullihan (Ted), Pam Luing Hamilton (Bill), Teresa Luing Suggs (Charles), Fred Chitty, and Jan Luing Hallock (Jim).

Iona Maxine Omvig was God’s gift to her family.

Service
Monday 30 Jan 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Immanuel Lutheran Church
604 Lafayette Ave.
Story City, IA 50248

Cemetery Details
Location
Story City Municipal Cemetery
980 Grand Avenue
Story City, Iowa 50248

http://www.adamssoderstrum.com/
 

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