Franziska 'Frances' Bernice Mai was born June 29, 1917, in rural Ellis County, KS, to the late Carl and Mary Ann (Schuster) Reitmeyer. She passed away in the Holiday Resort Nursing Home at Emporia on Tuesday, December 1, 2009, at the age of 92.


As a child, she attended rural schools in Ellis County.


On September 3, 1937, Frances was united in marriage to John Mai. They co-owned and operated Johnnie's Club and Mai's Liquor Store in WaKeeney for years. In later years, Frances opened a craft shop. John passed away March 14, 2006.

Frances attended the Bethany Baptist Church in WaKeeney. She was a member of the TCLMH Auxiliary and the WaKeeney Line Dancers.

Survivors include a son, John Mai and wife, Margaret, Emporia; a daughter, Shirley Meyer and husband, Jim, Sebastopol, CA; four grandchildren, Jack Meyer and wife, Margo, Jay Meyer and wife, Susie, Shelli Thompson and husband, Kerry, Gary Emery and wife, Mia; nine great-grandchildren, Trinell, Ahna, and Jackson Meyer, Austin & Jett Meyer, Baili and Carter McPheeters, Logan and Macee Emery; a great-great-grandchild, Akasha Meyer; a brother, Frankie Reitmeyer; four sisters, Anna Geschwenter, WaKeeney, Josephine Pfannenstiel, Wichita, Minnie Pfannenstiel, Brighton, CO, and Betty Dietz and husband, Jerry, Hays.


Preceding her in death was her husband, John; three grandchildren, Tague & Carl Mai and Jett Meyer; a brother, Johnny Reitmeyer; and two sisters, Matilda Williams and Mary Roberts.


Services for Frances will be held Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 10:30 A.M. at Schmitt Funeral Home in WaKeeney. Visitation is planned 5-7 P.M. Friday at the funeral home.
Interment is in the WaKeeney City Cemetery.


Memorials are suggested to the TCLMH Endowment and can be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.