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GERHART -- Maxine Gerhart age 90, passed way on her birthday, in Waco, Texas, on December 31, 2007. Mrs. Gerhart was born on December 31, 1917, in Sulphur Rock, Arkansas. She was raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico, graduating from Santa Fe High School. Maxine married James Gerhart in 1937, and became a loving wife and mother of four. She worked for several years in the Raton Public School System in Raton, and later moved back to Santa Fe, where she worked for the New Mexico State Department of Education. In 1974, Mrs. Gerhart had the distinction of being appointed as New Mexico Director of Finance by Governor Bruce King. This honor made her the first woman head of a major New Mexico state department. She continued in this role under the administration of the successive Governor Jerry Apodaca, and retired from state government in 1982. At the time of her passing, Maxine was living in Waco, TX near her youngest son, Smokey. Mrs. Gerhart was preceded in death by her husband, James Gerhart; daughter, Gay Law; great-granddaughter, Stormy Cornay; mother, Ollice McKenzie; father, W.H. McKenzie; sisters, Alice East and Mary Sargeant; and brothers, Bruce and John McKenzie. She is survived by two sons, Storm Gerhart, with wife Darlene of Broadview, NM, and Smokey Gerhart, with wife Brenda of Waco, TX; and one daughter, Kim Gerhart Dixon of Rockwall, TX. Maxine's family includes nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Her family thanks Maxine, our beloved mother, grandmother, and friend for her light and guidance in life. Her strength, grace, success, and compassion touched the lives of all who knew and loved her. A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, January 8, 2008, 10 a.m. at Berardinelli Family Chapel. Interment will follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Berardinelli Family Funeral Services 1399 Luisa Street Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 984-8600
        Published on: Sun January 06, 2008