Maxine Ratzlaff Schellenberg 90, died June 7, 2021, at Kidron Bethel Health Care in North Newton. She was born on July 12, 1930 in Hillsboro, to Harrison Benjamin and Martha Betty (Goertz) Ratzlaff.
Maxine was a teacher and taught elementary school classes at Delano, Calif., Honolulu, Hawaii, and for most of her career at Wichita. While teaching in Wichita, she extended her teaching by founding a service, “Academic Evaluations,” to evaluate the academic/educational skills of children in order to provide helpful information to parents and teachers. The last year of her teaching career, she taught and supervised practice teachers at Wichita State University.
Along with her teaching, Maxine was also talented in music. She once described her teaching and music as being “interlocked.” She used her musical talent to sing in church choirs; she also sang at many wedding ceremonies.
Maxine married Richard P. “Dick” Schellenberg at Hillsboro, on June 1, 1998. Although they were married when they were both in their late 60’s they were fortunate to be able to share 23 years together. Their good times included travel to San Francisco to Boston, and trips to Vermont to visit friends that attended the Marlboro Music Festival.
Maxine is survived by her husband, Dick Schellenberg of North Newton, and brother, Clayton Ratzlaff of Mt. Hope.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
No Memorial Service is planned at this time and private family interment will be in the Haven of Rest Cemetery in Hillsboro.
Memorials are suggested to the Mennonite Central Committee U.S., P.O. Box 500, Akron Pa., 17501-9989 or may be left with Petersen Funeral Home, 215 North Main, Newton, Kan., 67114.