Maxine (Snuggs) Lorenzini, passed away on March 25, 2018 after a short time in the hospital in Loveland. She was born the oldest of three children to Marie and Lee Barker.  Maxine lived her whole life in Morgan County. She graduated from Ft. Morgan High School in 1948.

She married Louis "Sonny" Lorenzini on October 3, 1948, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Weldona. They were blessed with four sons: Jim, Larry, Louie and Rick. Maxine and Sonny were life-long farmers and ranchers. They began with the farming and trucking business and later focused on farming and ranching, where they raised sugar beets, hay and corn and fed cattle.  Following Sonny's death, Maxine continued to stay involved with the family farm, as she hosted daily breakfasts with her kids and grandkids at her house each morning discussing the activities for the day.

Maxine was known for her big heart, whether that was inviting others in for coffee at her house, cooking big evening dinners during beet season for the family or bringing lunch to the field for everyone during harvest.  Maxine and Sonny had a Christmas Eve tradition like no other – hundreds of people over the years have been invited to their house to celebrate with family and friends. This past year was the 69th straight year she hosted Christmas Eve and where she made sure everyone received a gift and got to sit on Santa's lap – adults and kids alike.

She was a life-long member of the St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, where she rarely missed a Mass.  She was key to keeping the church open, including writing many letters and gaining support, when there was a shortage for priests and the parish was in danger of closing.

Maxine joined other Italian families putting on huge ravioli dinners for hundreds in the Valley, keeping the tradition going for many years and teaching many others.  She was a lifetime supporter of Weldon Valley School, was a longtime Weldon Valley 4-H leader, and an active member of the Republican Party for years. She was on the original board of directors to start the Morgan Community College and she also served many years as a community member representative representing Morgan County Centennial Mental Health Center board of director.

Among her favorite activities were attending the sporting and school events of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She was always up for a gambling trip, in fact, she spent her birthday the week of her death playing slots in Blackhawk. In her younger years, she and Sonny enjoyed taking kids and grandkids camping and fishing in the mountains.

She is survived by her four sons; Jim and Lula of Brush, Larry and Kathy, Louie, and Rick and Vivianne, all of Weldona; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jamey and Monica Lorenzini, Alyssa, Kayden and Jayce of Ft Morgan; Jason and Briana Lorenzini, Blakely of Burlington; Lori and Zale Hughes, Taylor, Baylee and Riley of Greeley; Mandi and Matt Keating, Kaybree, Kaytlyn, Kyra and Keian of Fort Morgan; Chad and Katie Lorenzini, Americo, Tenleigh and Axel of Weldona; Joe Lorenzini of Denver and Missey and Nick Trim and Ryen and Loren of Severance; her brother, Jerry and Diane Barker of Big Horn Wyoming; and sister-in-law, Diane Barker of Weldona.

Preceding Maxine in death were her parents; Lee and Marie Barker; brother, Elmer Barker; and husband, Sonny Lorenzini.

A Rosary Vigil will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Weldona on Monday, April 9th at 7:00 PM

A Celebration of Life will be at St. Helena's Catholic Church in Fort Morgan on Tuesday, April 10th at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery in Fort Morgan.

Memorial donations may be made in Maxine's name to St. Francis of Assessi Church in Weldona in care of Heer Mortuary, 225 E. Platte Ave., Fort Morgan, CO 80701.