Maude Kahrs (1930-2022)
Maude Kahrs, 91, formerly of Garrison, died Oct. 12 at her home in Phoenix.
She was born on Dec. 8, 1930, as Violet Maude Rutherford, the eldest child of dairy farmers William and Effie (Bellus) Rutherford of Madrid, New York.
Growing up on a farm had made Maude want to experience bigger things in life. Maude became a homemaker and she excelled at it. Her early life as a farm girl had unforeseen benefits when it came to creating a home for her family. She braided rugs, quilted quilts, embroidered linens and sewed drapery and pillows, her family said.
She dry-laid stone walls, cut hair, baked pastry, tapped sugar maples and boiled the sap down for maple syrup. She refinished furniture, doctored injuries, reupholstered antiques. She stripped wallpaper and put it up. A slow day might include gardening, canning and mowing the lower field on the riding mower. Watching her work could make a Teamster need to lie down.
In 1952, Maude received a bachelor’s degree in education from SUNY Potsdam. On Dec. 27 that same year she married Herman Kahrs of Pomona, whom she had met on a blind date set up by Maude’s roommate at Potsdam, Nancy Jacobsen.
The couple loved to entertain. Their holiday dinners were remarkable feats of culinary planning and preparation. It was their way of showing family and friends how important they were to them.
Herman owned The Platzl Brauhaus, a family catering restaurant. Maude helped out whenever she could. During 53 years of marriage, they built a family of four children, six homes (three built, three bought), cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters.
Maude is survived by children: Susan Kahrs (Irene Senger), Stephen Kahrs (Karen), Eric Kahrs (Arlene Green-Kahrs) and Kristine Kahrs-Pellegrini (Sandro Pellegrini); her grandchildren, Shay Kahrs, Alyssa Kahrs, Jenn Kahrs, Ceilidh (Kay) Kahrs and Thomas Pellegrini. She is also survived by her sister, Arlene Bliven and sisters-in-law, Marie Rutherford and Helen Kahrs,
A graveside service was held Oct. 20 at Cold Spring Cemetery.
Russell White
Russell A. White, 87, a longtime resident of Garrison, died Oct. 23 at his home, surrounded by family members.
He is survived by his wife, daughters, a granddaughter and a great-granddaughter.
Funeral services were private.
