Maisie L. Gurtler Kraus Devore

Maisie L. Gurtler Kraus DeVore, 98, passed away Saturday, January 13, 2018 at Stormont-Vail in Topeka. She was born January 31, 1919 at Eskridge, Kansas, the daughter of William Henry and Matilda Murdie Gurtler.. Maisie lived her entire life in the Eskridge, Maple Hill and Keene areas and attended high school at Maple Hill. She would graduate from Miltonvale Wesleyan High School as a member of the Class of 1936.  She married Willard F. “Bud” Kraus at Topeka, Kansas on July 2, 1938. They lived  at the Mossman (Waugh) Ranch at Keene, Kansas , where Bud was foreman until his death on October 5, 1962.Maisie married James L. DeVore at the Keene Wesleyan Church on November 22, 1968. He preceded her in death on April 6, 1986.  Maisie will be fondly remembered for many things, a couple of those being, always cheering on the Mission Valley Vikings and delivering her delicious, homemade donuts and cinnamon rolls to friends and family. She appeared in the entire series of Hallmark’s Sarah Plain and Tall movies. She was most proud of  providing her hometown with their own swimming pool. She collected and recycled cans, sold jelly and held garage sales to raise money. In July 2001, her 30 year dream came true, with the dedication of Maisie’s Community Pool. As recognition for her years of tireless dedication, Maisie was the recipient of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award in July 2002 in Washington, DC., This is one of the nation’s highest public service awards. This summer will mark the pool’s 18th season. Maisie will live on in the hearts of her daughters, Marilyn K. Allen of Eskridge, Linda L. Kraus of Topeka; a son, Warren F. Kraus of Eskridge; seven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of dear friends. She was preceded in death by a son, Willard Dean Kraus on October 26, 1992; brothers, Seth Gurtler, Marvin Gurtler, Alvin Gurtler and Leonard Gurtler.  Services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, January 19th at the Eskridge Baptist Church, where Maisie was a longtime member. Burial will follow services at Eskridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:30 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., Thursday evening at the VanArsdale Funeral Home in Eskridge.In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Maisie’s Community Pool or the Church and sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.