Madeline Rexroat Harding

Madeline Rexroat Harding “Maddie” age 93, a resident of the Bettendorf Health Care Center, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 9, 2014.

A celebration of her life will be held at 12:00 p.m., Monday, January 13, 2014 at LeClaire Baptist Church in LeClaire, Iowa.  Friends may greet the family from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the services on Monday at the church.  Friends and family are welcome to join us for a graveside service at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday at New York Cemetery in Millerton, Iowa.  Memorials may be made to LeClaire Baptist Church.

Madeline was born in Prairie City, Iowa on leap year, February 29, 1920, to George and Christina (Nugtren) Louwsma.  She had lots of fun through the years with her birth date. When she turned “16” (64) she celebrated with 2 of her grandsons who turned 16 the same year.

She was united in marriage on January 10, 1940 to Archie Rexroat.  To this union 3 children were born: Harold, Virginia and Janice.  They spent their life together farming near Millerton, Iowa until he passed away in 1968.  She later married Charles Harding, moved to Chariton, Iowa and spent much time traveling in their motor home until his death in 1998.  She then moved to LeClaire to be close to family.

Madeline loved flowers, gardening, cooking, canning, freezing and making jelly.  In her spare time she could be found in her favorite chair crocheting doilies and afghans or at her sewing machine sewing clothing, bibs for new babies for friends/family and quilting.  She loved playing various card games and bingo with family and friends.

Madeline was an amazing woman who loved God and spent much time reading and studying God’s Word.  She was always active in church ministries and was most recently a member of LeClaire Baptist Church.  When learning of her illness, she quoted scripture; II Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith…  She has always loved music and for many years played piano for church services.  Many mornings she would wake with a song in her heart praising God for his goodness.  She also played the organ and in earlier years she and her sister Florence would sing, play their guitars and yodel for various performances including the radio station KMA.

Those left to cherish and honor her memory are her daughters, Virginia (Paul) Dumser of St. Peters, Missouri and Janice (LeRoy) Hackney of LeClaire; her son, Harold (Nina) Rexroat of Unionville, Missouri; her brother, William Louwsma of Knoxville, Iowa; seven grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; and seven great-great grandchildren (one on the way).

She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband Archie; her second husband Charles; her sisters, Florence Rexroat, Effie Smith and 2 infant sisters; and her brother, Jacob Louwsma.

Special Thanks and appreciation are extended to Bettendorf Health Care and Hospice Compassus.