Maxine M. Brake

Maxine Mary (Downey) Brake, 84, was born to Henry and Clara Downey on January 21, 1935, in Wright, KS. She passed away Thursday, January 16, 2020, in Wichita, KS. She grew up on a farm in Windthorst, KS (Western KS) with her twin (and younger) sister, Delphine, older brother, Bill, and younger brother, Tom, who both preceded her in death. Maxine attended grade school and high school in Windthorst, KS. She was class Valedictorian, earned “Best short story” by the KS Author’s Book Club, and played clarinet in the band. Maxine then attended Sacred Heart College for two years and earned her Elementary Education degree. While in college she joined the Praxettes, a traveling singing group. She was Student Council President while at Sacred Heart College. She met the love of her life, Wilfred Brake, at Windthorst High School. Maxine was proposed to on Christmas Eve before midnight Mass. She married Wilfred at the age of 20 at 8 am on June 2, 1955, in Windhorst, KS. Maxine and Wilfred were married for 34 years when Wilfred passed away on December 6th, 1989. Maxine’s life was a testimony to God, marriage, motherhood, and service. She nurtured twelve children: Greg (1956), Joe (1957), Michelle (1959), Janelle (1960), Mary (1963), Amy (1964), Patrice (1968), Wilfred, Jr. (1969), David (1971), Jason and Jennifer (1973), and Nicole (1975). Maxine welcomed eleven more children into the family through marriage: Melody Brake, Doug Louis, Dennis Halstead, John Reed, Richard Chambers, Walter Beale, Julie Brake, Misty Brake, Elizabeth (Erin) Brake, Scott Smith and John Kriegisch. Maxine was a visible and loving presence in all her grandchildren’s lives, attending 66 baptisms, 42 first communions, 28 confirmations, 48 high school graduations, 28 college graduations and countless concerts, sporting events, birthday parties and any celebration of life. The grandchildren include Mike Brake and wife Marcia, Silviana Amethyst, Julie Brake, Kevin Louis (RIP), Matthew Louis and wife Maggie, Abby Sawyer and husband Matt, Jenae Welch and husband Greg, Lauren King and husband Cody, Teresa Halstead (RIP), Madelyn Halstead, Erica Sage and husband Sean, Danielle Ritzman and husband Erik, Jackie Reed, Kristin Reed, Jenna Reed, Caitlin Chambers, Jacob Chambers, Zachary Brake, Justin Brake, Megan Brake (RIP), Haley Brake, Madison Brake, Kristen Young and husband Charlie, Joshua Beeson, McKenzie Thurman, Nicholas Brake, Victoria Brake, Nathaniel Brake, Luke Smith, Mark Smith, John Paul Smith, Matthew Smith, Gabrielle Kriegisch, and Jocelyn Kriegisch. The next generation of Maxine’s family has continued with 16 great-grandchildren: Haden Sage, Ezra Sage, Collin Brake, Tristin Brake, Avery Ritzman, Harper Ritzman, Brock Welch, Bennett Welch, Cole Welch, Amelia King, Isaiah King, Lilly Carruba, Liam Carruba, Lucca Carruba, Marley Young and Royce Young. Maxine and Wilfred together formed and ran Brake, Inc., a plumbing contracting business that Maxine continued for an additional 15 years after Wilfred’s passing. Maxine was active in parish life for 40 years at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church before moving to west Wichita and joining St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, where she was active in the Compassion ministry and many other parish activities. Maxine touched the lives of many people and she will be greatly missed not only by her family, but her many friends, her bridge partners, her traveling companions, and her neighbors. Her love and grace was readily seen by friends old and new. Rosary, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, January 19; Funeral Mass, 10:00 a.m., Monday, January 20, both at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Memorials established with St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 645 N. 119th St. W., Wichita, KS 67235 and St. Anthony Family Shelter, 437 N. Topeka, Wichita, KS 67202. We love you, Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma, Sister, and Friend. Rest in peace in God’s loving hands. Arrangements by Downing & Lahey Mortuary West.