Vera Kreutziger

Vera Maxine Kreutziger, 86, of Baldwin City, passed away Friday, Jan. 2, 2009, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Kansas City, Mo.

She was born Jan. 7, 1922 in Whitewater, the daughter of Louella Mae (Hash) and Casper Simpson Eilerts.

Maxine grew up in Marion, attended Marion grade school, and was a 1940 graduate of Marion High School.

Prior to marriage, Maxine worked as a legal secretary in Marion for attorney John Wheeler and later worked as a librarian at Baker University for 36 years, retiring in the late 1990s. Maxine moved to Baldwin City in 1965 and was a member of First United Methodist Church in Baldwin City.

Maxine was a member of the Kansas Historical Society, Kansas East Conference, a board member of a rural water district, Women’s Auxiliary (UMW), and Alpha Chi Guild. Maxine will be remembered for being a social butterfly, having a wonderful sense of humor, and being a sports fanatic. She even played half-court basketball in high school. She loved watching her grandchildren play sports and no distance was too far for her to travel to attend their events. She was always lending a helping hand, often picking up friends and driving them to social events. She loved playing cards, especially bridge and pitch. She also was an avid bowler. She also enjoyed her trips to Branson, Mo., with friends. After her husband’s stroke in 1969, she was an excellent caregiver to Marvin.

The book, “Kansas Memories of Methodism,” was dedicated in her honor as she had contributed much of her adult life to the history of the Methodist church and particularly that of the Kansas East Conference. Anyone who needed information about the Methodist church wrote or phoned the Methodist archives at Baker University and Maxine answered their inquiry. Maxine received the Grace Irwin Service Award at Baker University and was honored for outstanding contributions to the promotion and preservation of history of Douglas County from the Santa Fe Trail Historical Society.

Maxine was married to Marvin F. Kreutizger on Nov. 28, 1943 in Marion. He preceded her in death March 9, 1993. She also was preceded in death by two brothers, Floyd and Earl Eilerts; and one sister, Winifred Meierhoff.

Survivors include her daughters, Cynthia Kruse and husband, Bill, of Olathe, Cheryl Chambers and husband, Bob, of Burlington, and Cathie Echterling and husband, Kelly, of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; six grandchildren, Robert Chambers Jr., Cody Chambers, Laura Haverkamp, Matthew Kruse, Kelsey Echterling, and Kenton Echterling; three great-grandchildren, Emma Chambers, Macy Chambers, and Haley Chambers; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Jan. 7 at First United Methodist Church of Baldwin City. Visitation was from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the church.

Burial will follow in Marion Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans or First United Methodist Church, sent in care of Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home, PO Box 64, Baldwin City KS 66006. Online condolences may be shared with the Kreutizger family at www.lamb-roberts.com.