Mabel Maxine Lauritzen, known as Maxine, of Spirit Lake, Iowa passed away peacefully January 21, 2010.  She was born on March 19, 1918 in Des Moines, Iowa to William and Mabel (Kinley) Robesky.

Maxine graduated from East High School in Des Moines and although she had a scholarship to Drake University she was unable to attend.  She became a secretary at Perkins Elementary School, Hoover High School and culminated her career working for the Iowa Legislature. 

When Spirit Lake became her permanent home instead of just a summer residence, she became a member of the First Presbyterian Church, TTT, and Questers.  In her earlier years on Big Spirit, she enjoyed floating on a blowup raft and shopping especially “Crazy Days.”   In her later years she continued to love to shop and play bridge. 

Maxine survived two husbands, Norman Bishop and Leonard Lauritzen but preceded her loving companion, Dale Thuirer of Spirit Lake.Maxine is survived by her daughter, Linda Bishop Robbins, and her husband, Rick, of Phoenix, AZ and her son, William Leonard Lauritzen and his wife, Carol, of Spencer.   Her grandchildren include Erick Robbins of Columbia Falls, MT, Amy Rampley of Phoenix, AZ, Kathy Habben of Everly, Doug Grice of Des Moines, and David Grice of Orlando, FL, and their spouses.  She is also blessed with 12 great grandchildren.                    

A visitation will be held at 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Schuchert Funeral Home on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. A  memorial service and luncheon will be held at the First Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, February 3 at 10:30 a.m.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Alzheimers Association, 322 Eighth Avenue, 7^th Floor, New York, New York 10001 in memory of Maxine Lauritzen.