Submitted by
Karen Stewart

Nolah Maxine Richard Haller

Nolah Maxine Richard Haller was born Aug. 11, 1925, and was raised with her younger sister Carol and younger brother Eddie by her father Edward and mother Nolah Richard in Fort Wayne, Ind.

The daughter of a Baker, she found out early the rewards of hard work and so she excelled in her school years with her interests being focused on art and music. She studied guitar and piano in a small conservatory for music in Fort Wayne, Ind.

After completing high school and her first year of college she decided to go to work for her music professor who had moved to Oklahoma City. There she taught guitar and furthered her studies.

While attending a dance, she met a young aviator who had survived World War II and was giving flying lessons at Wiley Post Airfield. Maxine said she knew he was the 'one' the day they met and awaited his phone call. The short time preceding the wedding, Ernie was teaching her how to fly and showing her the fine art of aerial acrobatics. The flying stunts cured her of ever wanting to solo and soon after he sold the plane.

They were married in Ernie's parent's home and settled down to family life. He worked at J.C. Penney Company in Oklahoma City and she tended to the home.

They enjoyed mutual interests that their parents handed down like fishing, camping and boating. They spent many a weekend and vacations enjoying these activities with their three children, son Rick and daughters Nancy and Karen. These early childhood rearing days found our mother as with any mother of three (as the home movies witnessed) chasing after three little ones heading in different directions is no small task.

The family moved to Ponca City in 1956 when Ernie bought Harter's Women's Ready to Wear business on Grand Avenue.

As the kids went off to school Maxine became involved in the fine arts. The Ponca Playhouse was where she introduced theater to her children as well as dance and music. As an active member of the Ponca Art's Association, she orchestrated the annual Beaux's Art Ball.

She participated in and was the president of the Soroptimist Club and an active member of the First Presbyterian Church.

Maxine enjoyed playing bridge and Mah Jongg. She always kept busy either drawing, painting or sculpting as well as designing and dressing Harter's windows of the family owned business which they operated for 37 years. She also loved to cook and her appreciation of good food and spirits carried on throughout her life.

Retirement saw Ernie and Maxine enjoying their interests of fishing, playing cards, traveling and enjoying friends.

Now it is time for us, her friends and family to say good-bye and to thank you for your love and your dedication to your family and the warmth you brought to your friends.

Thanks Mom, your son Rick, daughter Nancy and her life partner Michelle Dobbs, granddaughter Angie and husband Scott Tabarango, grandsons Aaron Haller Breckenridge, David M. Haller and Eric J. Ring, great-grandchildren Jeremy Tabarango, Eric James "EJ" Ring Jr. and Ericka Alexandria Ring. Her sister Carol Gilley and husband Blackie, with their son Scott Gilley and daughter Christy Archer.

We thank you all again for being in our lives.

Ernie, her husband of 57 years, and Karen, her youngest daughter, preceded her into eternal life.

Thank you so much to all the caring staff at Grace Living Center on NW 10th Street, Dialysis Specialists of Central Oklahoma DISCO, and Mission Hospice of Oklahoma City for all your love and support of which we'll never forget.

A graveside service will be 3 p.m. Thursday, April 27, at Memorial Park Cemetery in Oklahoma City. Visitation is from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday.