Maxine Marie Richards

Maxine Marie (nee Sorell) Richards April 3, 2018, age 93. Maxine Marie (Sorell) Richards entered into heaven on April 3, 2018 after living a full and loving life. Maxine was born on Jan 9, 1925 in Concordia, KS to the late Josephine (nee Hamel) and Philip Sorell, as the oldest of four girls, including the late Eugenia Hanson, Theresa Grieco, and Joan Mohr. Raised as a fervent Catholic, Maxine was sent to the one-room schoolhouse in rural Clifton, KS to begin the first grade only able to speak French, eventually learning English in school. After joining the local 4-H club at age 8, Maxine became a skilled craftswoman that would continue throughout her life, from sewing to needlepoint and cooking to arts. While attending Clay Center High School, Maxine worked as a live-in nanny, and after graduation, she moved back to Concordia where she met her husband, the late Raymond K. Richards, while she served as a local dance organizer for the USO. From that time forward, Ray only wanted to dance with her, and they were married on Oct 8, 1945. They were married for 57 years before Rays passing in 2003. Their adventures took them to St. Louis, Buffalo, NY for 7 years (where they welcomed their 3 daughters), then eventually settled in Wichita, KS. While Ray sold insurance, Maxine stayed busy: she made all the girls clothes, cooked every meal, refinished furniture, crocheted, and sewed; she worked as a Girl Scout leader and the Blessed Sacrament parish guild leader; she also worked as the Daughters of Isabella Regent President for 3 years at Holy Savior parish. Maxine became the Altar Society President and Guild Director while Ray was an altar server and extraordinary minister at St. Anthonys Parish. Ray and Maxine also passed the time at Cowtown for 16 years, where they had a print shop in which they printed customized headlines. They also had a booth at the State Fair for 28 years. Maxines last several decades welcomed 6 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and allowed her and Ray to host countless family gatherings at their home, where Maxine loved to cook, play "WaHoo!", and complete puzzles while being surrounded by the loving family she raised. Beloved wife of the late Raymond K. Richards; dearest mother of Noreen (K. Zack) Sigler, Pamela (Barry) Metz, and the late Cynthia (Thomas) Honton; loving grandmother of Tanya (John) Leddy, Tamara (Brent) Sexton, Tommy Honton, Stratton (Jennie) Sigler, Staysha (Nicholas) Titus, and Korbi Sigler; loving great-grandmother of Katrina, Tristan, Aria, Samantha, Avery, Clara, and Alden; devoted daughter of the late Josephine (nee Hamel) and Philip Sorell; dear sister of the late Eugenia Hanson, Joan Mohr, and Theresa Grieco. Rosary will be held at 5 p.m. on April 6 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 1215 N Stratford Ln, Wichita, KS 67206; Funeral Mass and Internment will be at 11 a.m. on April 7 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Joseph, KS. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Maxines memory to Guardians of the St. Joseph Church Foundation, P.O. Box 301, Clyde, Kansas 66938. Downing & Lahey Mortuary - East Chapel.