Wanda Bertha (Schottenberg) Maxson, a long-time resident of Oak Brook, died on April 22, 2021, at the age of 88. Wanda is survived by her devoted husband Ralph E. Maxson, her two caring children, Holly (Kelly) Kost and Greg (Linda) Maxson, her beloved grandchildren, Shelby, Haley and Spencer Kost and Aaron (Samantha) Roy, her delightful great-grandson, Emmett Roy, as well as many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bertha Freida (Zbinden) Schottenberg and Frederick Henry Schottenberg, and her infant brother, Frederick Otto Schottenberg.
Wanda was born in Chicago on May 12, 1932, and grew up on a farm located just south of Elmhurst. She attended the two-room Butler School in Oak Brook, Yorkfield Elementary School and York High School in Elmhurst. She attended Miami University in Miami, Florida and the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn.
In 1958, Wanda married Ralph and they started a life-long adventure together. Wanda enjoyed entertaining and hosted many parties and neighborhood gatherings. As a young couple, Wanda and Ralph formed an amateur play group with several couples, even giving out annual “Academy Awards.” Wanda loved to travel and organized numerous family road trips across the U.S. Wanda loved her family, especially her grandchildren, and was a devoted supporter of their musical and athletic endeavors, attending (and oftentimes driving them to) countless music, marching band and ballet performances and their many tennis and other sporting events.
Wanda enjoyed working and had a wide-ranging career, beginning in Chicago with the Hilton Corporation (working at the Palmer House and the Conrad Hilton). She was part of the management team that fully remodeled the Deschler Hilton in Columbus, Ohio. Wanda also worked for SW Steel Rolling Mills in Los Angeles, as well as Marshall Fields & Co. and Gaffin Market Research in Chicago. Once her children were grown, Wanda worked as a travel agent and meeting planner for over 30 years at Banque Travel, Quille Travel and Bishop Travel. As part of her work, Wanda travelled to numerous countries all around the world, visiting six continents during these adventures.
Wanda was an active member of numerous civic and charitable organizations, including the Illinois Children’s Home and Aid Society, the Village Art Associates of The Art Institute of Chicago, The Elmhurst Symphony Association Women’s Auxiliary, The Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Guild, The Oak Brook Historical Society, The Oak Brook Women’s Republican Club, Oak Brook Women’s Club, PEO Chapter HY, the Hinsdale Chapter of the Lyric Opera Society, several PTA groups and the Girl Scouts. Wanda was a long-time member of the Yorkfield Presbyterian Church in Elmhurst, devoting much of her time to the Yorkfield Food Pantry.
A devoted friend to many, Wanda will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
A private Memorial Service celebrating Wanda’s life will be held at the Yorkfield Presbyterian Church at 11 a.m. on May 1. The public is invited to attend via an on-line platform that can be accessed through the church’s website, https://eypc.org/.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Yorkfield Presbyterian Church, 1099 S. York St., Elmhurst, 60126, eypc.org/giving or The Elmhurst Symphony Association, P.O. Box 345, Elmhurst, 60126, elmhurstsymphony.org/web/home.
