Karen Louise Launsby
1939 - 2017
Karen Launsby (nee Englund), age 77, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on March 20, 2017. Karen passed away peacefully in her home in Kirkwood, MO, surrounded by loved ones.
Karen was born in Chicago, Illinois to Frederick William Englund and Irene Florence (nee Rosenquist) on August 26, 1939. She went to high school in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. She went on to earn a BS degree from Wheaton College.
Karen was married to Ernest Launsby of Boston, MA.
Karen had a giving heart. She served in her church, Community Covenant in many capacities and was a lifelong member. Professionally, she worked at Incarnate Word and St. Mary’s Hospitals.
Karen enjoyed doing for others, Bible studies with her friends, Wii Bowling at the Kirkwood House, knitting and embroidery, eating anything chocolate, and spending time with her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Frederick and Irene; and her brother Charles William Englund of Lindsborg, Kansas. She is survived by her sister Lois (Bob) Hirsch of Turlock, CA; sons Brent (Christine) Launsby of O’Fallon, MO; Bron (Shawna) Launsby of Sunset Hills, MO; six grandchildren William, Emma, Cole, Aiden, Chase, and Kaitlyn Launsby.
A memorial service will be held in honor of Karen on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at 4pm at Community Covenant Church, 315 Sugar Creek Rd, Kirkwood, MO 63122. Brian DeLay, of Peine Ridge Church, will be officiating.
We want to thank her many friends of the Kirkwood House, where she resided for the last 10 years, for their show of love and friendship to Karen.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund in her name.
Janet Louise Miller
1945 - 2017
Janet Louise Miller (nee Lasley), 72, passed away Sunday, March 19, 2017 in Kirkwood, MO. She leaves her daughter, Valerie (Siome Goldenstein), and son, Nathan (Lauren Murphy); two grandchildren, Rhys Miller and Benjamin Goldenstein; sister; brother; nieces and nephews; cousins; sister-in-law; and many friends. Her parents, Robert G. and Ida L. Lasley, and her brother, John D. Lasley, precede her in death.
She graduated from Nevada High School in Nevada, MO in 1962 and completed her undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri at Columbia in Spanish. She completed a Master’s Degree in Counseling at Washington University in St. Louis and worked for many years in Career and Employment Services at St. Louis Community College at Meramec. She loved her family and friends, her work, traveling, and speaking Spanish. Her family would like to thank Manor Grove Nursing Home for the excellent care they provided.
A memorial service celebrating her life will be planned in the coming months.
Robert Clark Gross Sr.
1926 - 2017
Gross, Sr., Robert Clark, Asleep in Jesus, Sunday, March 19, 2017, beloved husband of the late Rose Mary Gross (nee Schulte); dear father of Barbara (Eugene) Funk, Robert (Judy) Gross, Jr., Patricia (Bruce) Diggle and Caroline (Thomas) McCarthy; cherished grandfather of 16, great-grandfather of 23; dear brother of Rachel Gross and the late Jacob, Caroline, Linton, Thomas, Kate, Mary Louise and Mark; our dear brother-in-law, uncle, cousin and friend. At the time of his retirement, he was CEO of Gross Chandelier Company. Robert will be remembered for his kindness and gentleness of spirit, his sense of humor and love of the outdoors.
Funeral Mass Wed., Mar. 22, 12 noon at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 10 Ann Ave., Valley Park, MO 63088 with visitation one hour prior to service at church. The family would like to thank the staff and his friends at Cape Albeon for their kindness and support. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Greater St. Louis Honor Flight, 36 Four Seasons Shopping Center, Chesterfield, MO 63017.
Mary Ann Hillemeyer
1934 - 2017
Mary Ann Hillemeyer (nee Berner), passed away peacefully at age 83 on Friday, March 17, 2017. Beloved wife the late Jack Hillemeyer; loving mother of the late Peter Hillemeyer; dear grandmother of Alexander (Leah) Holroyd-Hillemeyer and Melissa (Angel) Novoa; loving great-grandmother of Luke and Calvin Hillemeyer and Olivia and Evelyn Novoa; dear sister of the late Charles Berner; dear sister-in-law, aunt, great-aunt, and friend to many.
Visitation from 9am until time of Funeral Service at 10am on Friday, March 24, at The Frontenac Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 10445 Clayton Rd., Frontenac, MO 63131. Interment Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Frontenac Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Nancy D. Lutz
1938 - 2017
Mrs. Nancy Kathryne Dixon Lutz passed away peacefully on a March 18, 2017. Nancy was born in Sylvania, Georgia to Ila Mae and Ralph E. Dixon, Sr. She graduated from Screven County High School in 1956, where she enjoyed being a majorette, competing in musical performance and duet, and riding on floats in community parades. Nancy remained lifelong friends with many of her Sylvania classmates, returning home frequently for reunions. She always spoke with deep fondness of growing up on the farm, cherishing her childhood close to family and enjoying the seasons of farm life in South Georgia.
Nancy attended Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia where she majored in English Literature and was in the 1960 graduating class of the Green Knights. During her senior year, she was introduced by dear friends Kate and Dan Lindsey to Lt. Brock M. Lutz, to whom she would be married for 57 years. They were married on June 19, 1960 in the First United Methodist Church in Sylvania, and then flew to Fulda, Germany where they remained while Brock served as an Army Aviator. Quite an adventure for a small town Georgia girl. After their discharge from the service, they returned to Brock's home in Missouri where he began a career with Ralston Purina that took them on several moves in Missouri and later to Oklahoma, returning to St Louis in 1983, where they later retired.
Nancy devoted herself entirely to raising her two children and providing a lovely, happy home life for her family. She decided to find the "perfect family dog" and brought home our first West Highland White Terrier, Macintosh, that led to a family tradition of Westie ownership and 13 Westies. In her last years, Westie Cody was her devoted companion and visited her daily.
Nancy continued to sing in church choirs and with the Sweet Adelines in Oklahoma City and St.Louis and designed costumes for the group for many years in the 80's. She traveled extensively in England, Italy and Ireland, honing her extensive needlework talents there. She was accomplished in French hand sewing, needlepoint, embroidery, knitting, ribbon sewing, smocking, and lace making. Her finished works were always beautiful and perfect and remain the prized possessions of her family. She collected lace and linens, antiques and art, creating a special home wherever the next move took the family. Nancy was known for her hospitality and sweet gentleness. She was a "do-it-yourself" girl, always ready to learn something new, taking on projects from caning to macramé, cake decorating to upholstery, painting, wallpapering and always gardening. Her family loved to hear her play the piano and sing. Nancy was a dedicated PEO and an active member for over 30 years at Salem-in-Ladue United Methodist Church in St. Louis.
Nancy is survived by her husband, Brock Martin Lutz, her daughter Beth Lutz Smith and her husband Chuck Smith, and her son Brock Dixon Lutz and his wife Julie Bucklew Lutz. She has three beloved grandchildren; Katherine Elizabeth Lutz, a veterinary student at Kansas State, Emily Elizabeth Smith, a teacher in Jacksonville, FL, and Brock Michael Lutz, a freshman at the University of Oklahoma. She is also survived by loving sister-in-law Fransina A. Dixon.
Nancy is also survived by two brothers, Ralph E. Dixon, Jr. of Sylvania, Georgia and Benjamin Strickland Dixon of St. Simon's Island. She is pre-deceased by another brother, James Edward Dixon.
A Memorial Service celebrating her life will be held on Sunday, June 18th at 2:00pm at Salem-in-Ladue United Methodist Church, 1200 S. Lindbergh Blvd. 63131. In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Missouri, 1201 Macklind Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110 or Epworth Children and Family Services, 110 N Elm Ave, Webster Groves, MO 63119.
Rodney Alan Wise
1956 - 2017
Rev. Rodney A. Wise, asleep in Jesus on March 16, 2017. Beloved husband of Julie Atwood-Wise; loving father of Clark and Evan (Jennah); proud grandfather of Ezra; devoted brother of Bonnie (Charlie) Fahrner; son-in-law of Twylah (and the late Thomas) Atwood. He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Wilbert and Mary (Lacy) Wise.
Born and raised in Springfield, IL, Rodney attended Springfield High School. He was a graduate of the University of Illinois and Univ. of Ill. College of Law. During 14 years as a practicing attorney, he served in private practice, as a bank trust officer, and finally as a staff attorney for the Legislative Reference Bureau in Springfield, Illinois. Upon receiving his Master of Divinity degree from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis in 1999, he was called to serve Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Overland, Missouri, and Glendale Lutheran Church beginning in 2013. At various times he served as pastoral advisor to the Lutheran High School Association and to a local zone of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.
Rodney’s interests included jazz music and playing trombone, absorbing knowledge about theology, philosophy, and history, dabbling with woodworking and stained glass projects, and following Cardinals baseball and Univ. of Ill. sports. He utilized sports as a means of spending time with his sons and teaching life lessons, coaching them in basketball, baseball, and golf. His dry and relaxed sense of humor made his lessons relatable and unintimidating. His gift for teaching was shaped by his legal background, granting him the ability to explain things in a way that was methodical, analytical, and easy to follow. He was most passionate about teaching confirmation -- cultivating the ability for youth to think critically, empowering them to navigate the modern world and apply their faith throughout their lives.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 24 at Bopp Chapel, 10610 Manchester Road from 3-7 p.m., and one hour prior to the funeral service to be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 25, at Glendale Lutheran Church, 1365 N. Sappington Road. Interment follows at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Glendale Lutheran Church, Concordia Seminary-St. Louis, and Lutheran Hour Ministries.
Mary Frances Schnitzius
1931 - 2017
Mary Frances Schnitzius (nee Palmer) passed away on Thursday, March 16, 2017; Beloved wife of the late Kenneth Schnitzius; loving mother of Deborah (Michael) Meckfessel, Robert W. (Yvonne) Schnitzius and Barbara (Thomas) Schrand; cherished grandmother of Julia, Timothy (Chelsie), and Daniel Meckfessel, Andrew, Michael (Megan), Laura Schnitzius, Steven Schrand; great-grandmother of David Schnitzius, and dearly loved friend to many.
Visitation from 3:00pm-8:00pm on Tuesday, March 21, at Bopp Chapel, 10610 Manchester Rd., in Kirkwood. Funeral Service 10:00am Wednesday, March 22, at Bopp Chapel. Interment Bellefontaine Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the American Heart Association or the Humane Society of Missouri are appreciated.
Elva Geneva Guse
1926 - 2017
Elva Guse (nee Schwerdtfeger), born 8/20/1926, passed away peacefully 3/15/2017. Interment St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements by Bopp Chapel.
Rose Marie Jaschek
1926 - 2017
Rose Marie (Kurtz) Jaschek died peacefully in her sleep March 12, 2017, in Valley Park, Missouri, at age 90.
Her memory is cherished by Walter, her devoted husband of 63 years; two sons, Walt and Fred; Fred’s wife Peggy; Walt’s fiancée Randy; grandsons Adam, Patrick (wife Kristin), Danny (wife Katie) and Charlie; granddaughter Amy; brother-in-law Erich (wife Mary) and a large, extended family of nieces, nephews, their spouses and children.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Johann and Theresia (Ringbauer) Kurtz, and nine siblings: Frank, John, Gustave, Carl, Theresa Hermina, William Joseph, Herman Otto, Betty Ann, and Emma Cecilia, Rose Marie’s twin sister. She recounted loving memories of them all throughout her life.
Rose Marie was born July 2, 1926, in East St. Louis, where she was raised. In 2011, she wrote: “I grew up in a house built by my Pop, a bricklayer, with 6 brothers, 3 sisters, my parents and me. There were a lot of people in that house, but there was a lot of love in that house.”
Rose Marie graduated from East St. Louis High School in 1945, and for 10 years worked as a telephone operator at Southwestern Bell in East St. Louis. In 1954, she married Walter, a Navy veteran and aerospace engineer at McDonnell Douglas, and became a homemaker in Jennings, Missouri. She served in the Jennings High School Mothers Club, performed in the club’s “Kitchen Band, ” and was a member of Faith-Salem United Church of Christ.
A prolific scrapbooker, Rose Marie assembled, over the decades, dozens of albums containing family photos and mementos, annotated with first-hand descriptions in her own handwriting. These albums continue to be treasured by generations.
A talented baker, “Aunt Rose” gained notoriety among family for the quality and quantity of her Christmas cookies, creatively transformed into faces, stars and Santas. At the holidays, no person in her presence was without one. Or many.
In retirement, Rose Marie and Walter traveled with their church group by bus to 48 states, and memories of the beautiful America they saw first-hand animated their conversations for many years.
At Rose Marie’s request, there will be no public memorial service. A graveside burial service for immediate family will be held at Jefferson Barracks Cemetery.
The family suggests donations in Rose Marie’s name to the Parkinson’s Foundation: http://www.pdf.org/fund_memdon
