Maxine “Max” A. Westphal, 59, of Lime Springs, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, May 23, 2018, at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

The funeral service was held Saturday, May 26, 2018, at Lime Springs United Methodist Church in Lime Springs, with Pastor Paula Hemann officiating. Burial was in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Lime Springs.

Maxine Ann Gragert was born Jan. 3, 1959, to Gerald and Marian (McKenzie) Gragert in Harmony, Minnesota. She graduated from Crestwood High School. On May 25, 1990, Max married Walter “Al” Westphal at the Mower County Courthouse in Austin, Minnesota. Max worked at Hormel in Austin for 31 years. She was most recently employed in the cafeteria at the LeRoy-Ostrander school. She loved being around children. Max spent her free time cooking, sharing recipes, camping, dancing, entertaining, reading, and playing Farm Saga Heroes.

Max enjoyed the simple things in life like a good cup of coffee or tea with a sweet dessert, watching birds, chatting on the phone, and all sorts of plants and flowers. She recently transplanted some hostas at home. She loved keeping up with her shows such as “Call the Midwife,” “Downton Abbey,” and “This Is Us.” Max’s sense of humor and fashion will be greatly missed. She hated shopping, but she loved finding bargain outfits at Goodwill. She could always light up a room with her laugh, smile, and of course all of her “blinged out” jewelry. She would brighten up your day with a joke or a big hug with a, “Hey girl, how’s it going?” Max will be remembered for her strong faith, her beautiful curly hair, and her deep love for her family, her home, and her community.

Max is survived by her husband, Al Westphal of Lime Springs; her daughters, Misty Montanez of Burnsville, Minnesota, and Alesha Westphal of Chattanooga, Tennessee; her grandson, Rio Montanez; and her siblings, Gordon (Darla) Gragert of Chester, Iowa, Joan Gragert of Lime Springs, Marilyn (Brian Monsen) Schwab of Forest City, Iowa, Damon (Sherry) Gragert of Lime Springs, and Betty (Rick) Reicks of Cresco, Iowa.

Max was preceded in death by her parents and her brother-in-law, Joseph Schwab.

Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home in Cresco was in charge of arrangements.