Maxine (Schwerdtfeger) Rogers-Prewett (1931-2024)
Maxine (Schwerdtfeger) Rogers-Prewett entered heaven on Oct. 19, 2024. She was born in Ellsworth, Kan., on Oct. 9, 1931, to Otto and Dora (Panzer) Schwerdtfeger. Maxine attended school in Ellsworth, graduating with honors in 1949.
On May 13, 1956, she married the love of her life, Max Rogers of Lincoln, at Ellsworth’s Immanuel Lutheran Church. They were married until his death on July 9, 1985. Together they built the home she lived in from 1962 until 2020 when she moved into Lincoln Park Manor. Maxine and Max traveled the United States, seeing both coasts and all four borders, and were active members of the local square dancers.
Maxine was always positive, truly loved being with others and treasured the arts. Whether she was sewing, crafting, cooking or painting, her artistic talent always came through. She was an exceptional acrylic and oil painting artist. Her home was always ready to welcome family and friends. Maxine was an avid reader, with the Holy Bible being her most treasured book. Her days were spent walking faithfully and trusting in God’s grace and mercy
Maxine worked at the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Ellsworth from July 1949 until May 1961, when the company went from operators to dial operations. She started at the switchboard, and after three years, became the supervisor/chief operator. In June 1961, she started working at the Lincoln ASCS office, and in 1964 was promoted to assistant office manager. She received several awards from the Department of Agriculture for her service, and went to Washington, D.C., three times to receive awards from the Department of Agriculture. In November 1996, after 35 years, Maxine retired.
On May 5, 1989, Maxine married her second husband, John Prewett. They traveled to Alaska and Hawaii and enjoyed spending winters in southern Texas and summer weekends with their motor home camping group at various lakes in Kansas, especially Wilson Lake.
Maxine was preceded in death by her husbands Max and John, her parents and brother Howard Schwerdtfeger (Shirley), Wichita, Kan. She is survived by her brother Clair Schwerdtfeger (Susan), St. Charles, Ill.; niece The Rev. Heidi Schwerdtfeger-Jones (Robert) and their daughter Ainsley, Carmel, Ind.; and nephew Kurt Schwerdtfeger (Jessica) and their children Carlisle, Carson and Crew, Hutto, Texas.
A viewing will be at the Hall-Parsons Funeral home, Lincoln, Kan., Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. The funeral will be in Ellsworth on Thursday at 10 a.m. at Parsons Funeral Home, with The Rev. Heidi Schwerdtfeger-Jones officiating.
Memorials may be made in Maxine’s memory to the Lincoln Carnegie Library or the Lincoln Art Center, both in Lincoln, Kan.