Elfriede Hilda Mai, 90, of WaKeeney, Kansas died Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 2:10 am at home in Greenville, North Carolina. She was born September 11, 1921 at Palmer, Kansas. The daughter of Henry William Walter & Marie Sophie (Meyerhoff) Meier she was one of six children. Elfriede was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer, Kansas.


When she was 16 she began working as a Nanny, taking care of mothers and their infants for the first six weeks after their birth. She did this for several years traveling widely over Kansas and Missouri and as far away as Washington D.C. and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.


During World War II Elfriede worked at the Boeing Aircraft plant in Wichita, Kansas as a riveter on the B-29. After the war she resumed her work as a Nanny. While staying with a family in Hays, Kansas she met Albert Mai. They married on May 27, 1951 establishing their home at the family farmstead just south of WaKeeney, Kansas. Here they raised four children; John, Bruce, Carolyn and Pamela.


For the last 12 years Elfriede divided her time between Greenville, North Carolina, where she lived with her daughter Carolyn's family and the family farm in WaKeeney. She also spent weeks at a time with her other children.


Elfriede led an enthusiastic church life. She was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in WaKeeney, Kansas and a dedicated congregant of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Greenville, North Carolina. She was an active member of the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in both congregations.


Wherever she was, Elfriede was endearingly dubbed 'the cinnamon roll lady'. She loved to cook and cinnamon rolls were her signature creation. One of Elfriede's great-nephews, who grew up visiting her not only at the farm but also at other family member's homes, remarked that she was the embodiment of hospitality, warmth and grace.

Preceding her in death were her husband Albert, her parents, her two brothers; Albert and Waldemar and her three sisters; Lillie, Erna and Emma.


Survivors include her children, John and his wife Jan of Salina, Kansas, Bruce and his wife Joyce of WaKeeney, Kansas, Carolyn and her husband Bob Green of Greenville, North Carolina and Pam and her husband Don Kearby of Littleton, Colorado. Elfriede has 11 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held 11:00 A.M., Saturday, February 4, 2012 in Zion Lutheran Church at Trego Center.

In Lieu of Flowers, the family suggests Memorials to the Zion Lutheran Church (Elevator Fund) and can be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672