Maxine M. Ehrlich

Maxine M. Ehrlich, age 101, passed away July 1, 2017 in Shawnee, KS. She was born Maxine Myrtle Gillenwater, on May 27, 1916 in Garden City, KS, to Gertrude Alice (Wilcox) and Frank Elijah Gillenwater. She lived most of her childhood in Kinsley and Jetmore, KS. As a teenager and young adult, Maxine worked at the Conard Photography Studio in Garden City and had many postcards produced by the Conards, showing the black clouds that descended on the area, during the “Dust Bowl Days.”

In 1938, Maxine married Otto Jacob Ehrlich of Finney County, KS. They lived briefly in Garden City and Burlington, KS before moving to Wichita in 1941 where their son Phillip Darrell was born. Ott went to work for Zimmerman Electric to learn the trade of winding motors. In 1945 he was called to serve in the US Army. As his troop ship was sailing to Japan, WWII was declared over and the ship was redirected to Manila, Philippines. When Ott returned home 18 months later, he went back to work at Zimmerman’s. Max and Ott welcomed their daughter Connie Lee in 1948. In 1951, they opened their own motor and transformer rewind shop. Ott and Max successfully operated Ehrlich Electric Machinery Co. for more than 35 years before turning it over to their son Phil. During their marriage of 51 years, Ott and Max were steadfast members of Holy Cross Lutheran Church where Max was a member of Altar Guild and Ott was head usher. They also enjoyed golf, bridge and an occasional outing to the Moose Club with friends. During their retirement, they enjoyed traveling around the country in their motor home.

Max was a homemaker and helpmate and, later in life, became a watercolorist. Her numerous works of art represent the beauty of nature. Her creativity extended to decorating tables for the Lifes Ventures (formerly Shepherd’s Center East) and Holy Cross Lutheran Church luncheons. She was known for her kindness and generosity to others. Max lived in Wichita for 72 years, including 37 years in Parklane Towers. In October 2014, she moved to the Brookdale retirement community in Shawnee, KS to be close to her daughter.

In 2016, Max’s 100th birthday party, hosted by her daughter, Connie (Ehrlich) Davis, was held at the Lake Quivira Country Club in Lake Quivira, KS. More than 70 people attended, traveling from California, Florida and many points in between. It was a joyous celebration of an amazing woman who was well loved.

Maxine is survived by her daughter, Connie Davis of Lake Quivira, KS; grandchildren, Scott Ehrlich, Branson, MO, DeAnne Minor, Westminster, CA, Alexandra Anderson, Wichita, KS and Jeanette Ehrlich, Phoenix, AZ; eight great grandchildren; seven great great-grandchildren; and extended family Diana Ehrlich, Phoenix, AZ and Jeanne Burkhead, Tucson, AZ. She is also survived by sisters, Beaulah Ashburn, Hills, MN and Barbara Brown, The Villages, FL as well as many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly. She was preceded in death by her husband, Otto J. Ehrlich (d. 1990); son, Phil D. Ehrlich (d. 2003); son-in-law, Alan H. Davis (d. 2006) and brother, Paul Gillenwater (d. 1999).

Graveside services will be 2:00 pm, Saturday, July 8, 2017 at Old Mission Wichita Park Cemetery, 3424 E. 21st Street N., Wichita, KS 67220. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 600 N. Greenwich Rd., Wichita, KS 67206 or Lifes Ventures, 4407 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS 67218. Condolences may be left online at www.mcgilleyhoge.com. Arrangements by, McGilley & Hoge Chapel, Overland Park, KS 66204. (913) 642-3565.