Maxine Grote
Ava, MO

Dortha Maxine Grote was known by many as "Cene". She spent her last days on Earth with peace and grace surrounded by her family. She began her life's celebration in Heaven on Thursday morning, October 29, 2015. She was born the second daughter of Everett and Ethel Steelman Cantwell in Hammond, Missouri.She was preceded in death by her loving husband Cornie, her sister Bonnie Reid, her brother F.A. Cantwell, her grandson Toby Miller, and step-grandson Landen Johnson.

She is survived by her daughter Connie Miller and husband Gib, grandson Todd Miller and wife Crystal, grandson Trampas Miller and wife Teresa, great-grandson Eli Miller, sister Jeanette Jones of Little Rock, brother Carl Cantwell of Springfield, many nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

In February of 1940, she married Cornie Grote. After briefly living in California, they returned to Missouri, where they made their home at Sweden and she lived the majority of her ninety-four years there. When daughter Connie was born, Cene threw her energy in to being a mother. Open to all neighboring children, her kitchen was never closed. Cene worked as a bookkeeper at Ford Tractor Implement, and Ava Produce, then as office manager at Chastain's Nursing Home, and lastly as a bookkeeper at Ava Drug for twenty-four and a half years, retiring at the age of eighty-seven. Cene attended Sweden Church for seventy years.

She took great pride in being a grandmother and a great-grandmother, and was considered a favorite aunt by many of her nieces and nephews. She was an inspiration to all who knew her. She always had a hug and an encouraging word for everyone. She leaves us rich in memories.


Funeral services for Maxine will be Monday, Nov. 2, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO with burial in the Sweden Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 9:00 a.m. to service time in the funeral home. Officiating will be Rev. Eddie Chambers and Pastor Marvin Loftin. Memorials may be made to Sweden Cemetery.