Myron Eugene "Max" Abildtrup

Myron "Max" Eugene Abildtrup, 88, of Tucson, Arizona passed away peacefully on February 28, 2023 at home surrounded by family. Max was born November 19, 1934 to Nels and Lillie (Jensen) Abildtrup at his parent's home in Audubon, Iowa. He graduated from Audubon County schools and then joined the Marine Corps in 1953 to 1956. After returning home from the service, he attended the American Institute of Business in Des Moines, Iowa where he met and eventually married Judith "Judy" Spenler on April 9, 1960. This union was blessed with a son, Mark and a daughter, Julie.
Max was a member of the American Legion in McGregor for over 40 years. He also served on the Mar-Mac School Board from 1971 to 1982. Max ran the Agri Industries Grain Elevator in McGregor until 1983 and moved on to other grain elevators in various parts of the country and even did some consulting work in China in 1994.
In 2001, Max and Judy retired to "The Villages" in Florida where Max was able to fulfill his passion for golf. His wife, Judy, died in 2006 and in 2008, Max moved back to McGregor to be closer to family. Max connected with an old friend, Linda Kirschbaum in 2009 and they were married in July, 2010. Max and Linda spent their time between McGregor, IA and Tucson, AZ enjoying time with family and friends.
Max enjoyed playing golf and watching all sports especially the Iowa Hawkeyes and even the Nebraska Cornhuskers (to please his grandson, Michael). He cheered for both teams as long as they were not playing each other. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren's sporting events and even playing slow pitch softball in the late 1970's.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Nels and Lillie Abildtrup, his wife, Judy (2006), a son, Mark (2017), and Mark's significant other, Julie Elliott Geno (2007) and 2 sisters, Connie and Jeanene, and brother-in-law, Pete.
Survivors include his wife, Linda of Tucson, AZ, his daughter Julie (Doug) Aksamit of Nebraska City, NE and grandson Michael (Emily) Aksamit of Lincoln, NE. Granddaughters, Dana (Paul) Gordon and Dacia (Kory) Warrington both of Marquette, IA and stepchildren Kathy (Neil) Harrington of Huddleston, VA, Lori Mott (Jay) of Tomahawk, WI, John Kirschbaum of Payson, AZ, and Doug Kirschbaum, Chris Fox, Karen Kirschbaum, Lisa Castellano (Paul), Jen Healy (Jay) all of Tucson, AZ and several other grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will take place on May 13, 2023 at Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in McGregor, IA followed by a burial with full military honors at the Little Norwegian Church Cemetery in McGregor, IA. Friends and relatives are invited to join us for a get together at Maggie's Diner after the burial.
Memorials may be made to the American Legion Post 267 and The First Lutheran Church in rural McGregor, IA.
Thornburg-Grau Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, McGregor, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.