Mary Philippa Altheuser
December 21, 1929 ~ June 9, 2021
Mary Philippa Altheuser, 91, of Jefferson City, died Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at Oak Tree Villas.
She was born on December 21, 1929, in Westphalia, the daughter of the late Herman Gustave and Mary Wilimenia (Kleffner) Altheuser.
She was a 1948 graduate of Our Lady of Help High School in Frankenstein, Missouri.
She was employed with the Missouri State Division of Employment Security as a clerk typist III for forty-five years, retiring in 1994.
Mary was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and St. Ann’s Sewing Circle. Later, when she moved to Jefferson City, she became a member of St. Peter Catholic Church.
An accomplished seamstress, Mary made clothing for her many nieces, and enjoyed Search and Find books. She loved to crochet and once she moved to Oak Tree Villas, she was happy to teach many of the ladies.
Survivors include one sister, Caroline Starke, Frankenstein; nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews; and great-great-great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by an infant brother, Jonathon Altheuser; brothers, Edward Altheuser, Bernard (Virginia) Altheuser and Albert Altheuser; sisters, Clara Altheuser, Agnes Altheuser, and Loretta Altheuser; and a brother-in-law, Donald Starke.
Visitation will be 10-11:00 a.m. Monday, June 14, 2021, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Westphalia.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 14, 2021, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Westphalia with the Rev. Anthony J. Viviano celebrating.
Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home in Westphalia is in charge of the arrangements.
Those wishing to send condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.
She was born on December 21, 1929, in Westphalia, the daughter of the late Herman Gustave and Mary Wilimenia (Kleffner) Altheuser.
She was a 1948 graduate of Our Lady of Help High School in Frankenstein, Missouri.
She was employed with the Missouri State Division of Employment Security as a clerk typist III for forty-five years, retiring in 1994.
Mary was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and St. Ann’s Sewing Circle. Later, when she moved to Jefferson City, she became a member of St. Peter Catholic Church.
An accomplished seamstress, Mary made clothing for her many nieces, and enjoyed Search and Find books. She loved to crochet and once she moved to Oak Tree Villas, she was happy to teach many of the ladies.
Survivors include one sister, Caroline Starke, Frankenstein; nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews; and great-great-great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by an infant brother, Jonathon Altheuser; brothers, Edward Altheuser, Bernard (Virginia) Altheuser and Albert Altheuser; sisters, Clara Altheuser, Agnes Altheuser, and Loretta Altheuser; and a brother-in-law, Donald Starke.
Visitation will be 10-11:00 a.m. Monday, June 14, 2021, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Westphalia.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 14, 2021, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Westphalia with the Rev. Anthony J. Viviano celebrating.
Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home in Westphalia is in charge of the arrangements.
Those wishing to send condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.
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We met Mary while visiting at Oak Tree, she was a very sweet lady. She showed me her little pet “dog.” I’m sorry to learn of her passing.
When I had my first job after high school, Mary was in the carpool with me! She was a neighbor for many years and you couldn’t ask for a sweeter person to talk to. All of your are in my prayers.
Lit a candle in memory of Mary Philippa Altheuser
Edmund “Ed” A Martin Just a short message about Mary! I’m Ed Martin with St. Peters parish. When I signed up to do Nursing Home visits at Oak Tree Villa I got to know Mary through my weekly visits. I always found Mary engaging and outgoing and interested in what was going at St. Peters and in our community. She was always so thankful and appreciative of my visits and the little things I brought and did for her. In one instance, suggested by someone else, I brought her a furry toy puppy and when on occasion she would call during the “lockdown” she would comment how she loved that furry puppy. I’m sure Jesus has a special place for in heaven.
I want to offer sincere condolences to the family. My mother, (Esther Scheppers Bode), was a few years older than “Marie,” and always enjoyed talking with her. They had hometown connections, mutual respect, and were friends during their Westphalia years and beyond. I recall a couple of visits I had with Marie in Westphalia; I think there are good reasons why she was referred to as “a sweet little lady.” May she rest in peace.
Mary was my Great Aunt Marie. She was like a grandma to me. I’d ask to tag along when Dad went up to visit her pretty much every week or every few days. I loved hearing Aunt Marie talk. She had good stories, a sweet voice, light blue eyes that would light up, & a beautiful smile. I told her she was like a grandma to me & helped me after Grandpa Ben passed. I thought I’d never get over Grandpa Ben’s passing, but Aunt Marie was there for me along with my parents & friends. I had fun with her. At times I was too busy to visit her, so I mailed her cards or called her on the phone. She would draw pictures of flowers & chickens & write about her day. (I had pet chickens, so she liked to draw them on the envelope). I told her she meant a lot to me. I miss her greatly. I enjoyed it when Dad & I played the dulcimers for her & her elderly friends at the nursing home. I loved making her & the others smile. Some people would mistake my dad (her nephew) as her son & mistake me (her great niece) as her granddaughter or great granddaughter because we were up there so much. I remember having Christmas(s)/ holidays with her (long before covid came). I could talk with Aunt Marie for hours. I’m so glad I have photos of her & of her & me together. I never want to forget Aunt Marie. Without her, life is different, but I’m thankful for the time we had together. For a long time I did not tell her she was like a grandma because I did not want to call her old or have her think she’s replacing my real grandparents that passed some years earlier. But I realized that calling her my grandma-figure was a compliment that made her smile so big. Then a nurse would walk in & ask, “How’s Grandma doing?” Aunt Marie would smile & politely correct the nurse. We had so many good times together.