Katherine Maxine Eckler Welker, 84, of rural Montgomery City, MO, died on Sunday, November 27, 2022, at the Aspire/Jonesburg Care Center in Jonesburg, MO.

Katherine Maxine Eckler Welker was born July 12, 1938 in Wellsville, MO, to Roger Ellis Eckler, Sr. and Katherine Elizabeth Schumann Eckler.  She graduated from Wellsville-Middletown R-I School in 1956.  Maxine married Orville Henry Edgar Welker on March 9, 1958 in Wellsville, MO, and have been married for over 64 wonderful years.  She worked part-time many years ago for Wellsville Drug Store but was a wonderful homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.  Maxine was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, where she was an active member of the Grace Lutheran Ladies Aid.  She also was the cook many years ago for the Lutheran Church School and enjoyed quilting, baking, and most of all crafting with her grand kids.

Mrs. Welker is survived by her husband, Orville Henry Edgar Welker of rural Montgomery City, MO; four children:  John Welker and Beverly of Montgomery City, MO; Raymond Welker and wife, Chris, of Montgomery City, MO; Kathy Nilges and husband, Mark, of Montgomery City, MO; and Ralph Welker and Jennifer of Montgomery City, MO; grandchildren:  Lisa Kaminski and husband, Daniel, of Jonesburg, MO; John Welker of Montgomery City, MO; Mark Welker of Montgomery City, MO; Kim Hoskins and husband, Arthur, of St. Charles, MO; Julie Thielmeier and husband, Jeff, of Montgomery City, MO; Ariauna Tate and husband, David, of New Mexico; and Lauren Nilges of South Korea; and ten great-grandchildren.  Also surviving is her sister, Glenda Sue Angel and husband, Jim, of Mexico, MO; Brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Anna and Ken Roetheli of Washington, MO; Mary Giessmann of Wentzville, MO; Brenda Welker of Warrenton, MO; and George Jacobi of Wellsville, MO; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Mrs. Welker was preceded in death by her parents, Roger Ellis Eckler, Sr. and Katherine Elizabeth Schumann Eckler; Sisters: Dorothy Jean Porter, Marjorie Mae Yelton, and Frances Marie Jacobi; Brothers: Roger Ellis Eckler, Jr. and Harold Thomas Eckler; brothers-in-law, Carl Porter, Earl Yelton, LeRoy Welker and Don Giessmann and sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Eckler, Barb Eckler and Nancy Welker.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, December 1, 2022 at the Grace Lutheran Church in Wellsville, MO.  The Reverend Luke Wolters will officiate and interment will be in the Montgomery City Cemetery.  Visitation will be held on Thursday from 10:00 AM until the time of service at the Church.   Casketbearers include John Welker, Mark Welker, Daniel Kaminski, Arthur Hoskins, Pat Jacobi and Danny Giessmann.

Memorial Contributions are suggested to the Lutheran Hour, c/o Schlanker Funeral Home, 207 Danville Road, Montgomery City, MO   63361.