Gene Maxwell

Gene Maxwell, 81, passed away Sunday, March 17, 2019, at Olathe Medical Center. Graveside services will be held at 10:30 am, Thursday, March 21, 2019 at Highland Cemetery. Family will meet with friends from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm, Wednesday, March 20th at Dengel & Son Mortuary. Gene was born March 28, 1937, in Louisburg, the son of Richard and Alice (Fouts) Maxwell. He was a lifelong Franklin County resident. He graduated from Ottawa High School with the class of 1955. Gene was united in marriage to Patricia Hay, November 17, 1957 in Ottawa. She survives of the home. Other survivors include sons, Alan Maxwell and wife Nanette of Ottawa, and Roger Maxwell of Ottawa; four grandchildren, Adam and wife Kate of Ottawa, Ryan of Lenexa, Aubrey and companion Jacob Daniels of El Dorado, and Grant of Ottawa; two great grandchildren, Jayden and Aiden both of El Dorado; sister, Judy Froggatte of Ottawa, sister-in-law, Marion Maxwell also of Ottawa; and many nieces and nephews. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Alice Maxwell and brother, Gary Maxwell. He grew up on the family farm, where he bred livestock and maintained the property. At the age of sixteen, he worked for his neighbor hauling hay, filling silos, and general farm work. At seventeen, he worked for Ottawa Tire shop in Ottawa. During the summer after graduating, Gene worked for area farmers as a farm laborer. In September 1955, he started work at Ottawa Steel and remained there for 27 years and farmed in his spare time. In 1978, Gene started farming full time until his time of death. Gene served in US Army Reserve for 6 years. Gene was a member of Power of the Past for many years, a board member of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) from 1994 to 2003 and Ottawa Coop 1982 to 1991. He was a board member of the Harrison Township from 1978 to 2018. Gene was awarded the Kansas Bankers Association Soil Conservation award in 2000 and Farm Bureau Century Award in 2003. The family suggests memorial contributions to Franklin County Cancer Foundation or Power of The Past c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Gene’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com