Theresa Muenks

1928-2022

Posted

Theresa E. Muenks, 94, Loose Creek, passed away Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, at Westphalia Hills.

She was born June 12, 1928, to the late George Joseph and Christina (Luecke) Stratman in Vienna.

She attended Visitation Grade School in Vienna and was a 1947 graduate of Vienna High School. She also attended college classes in Warrensburg.

Theresa was united in marriage to to Wilbert “Billy” J. Muenks May 30, 1956, in Visitation Catholic Church in Vienna.

She began teaching grades first through fourth in a two-room school in Brinktown at the age of 18. After five years, she taught grades one through fourth at Renneke School in Argyle for one year. Theresa then began working for the State of Missouri as a keypunch operator for the Department of Social Services until she and Wilbert started their family. Wilbert and Theresa ran the family farm raising turkeys, chickens, cattle and crops.

She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Loose Creek where she sang in the church choir and was also a member of St. Ann’s Sodality and the Loose Creek Sewing Circle.

Theresa enjoyed cooking, especially making her homemade bread, working in her gardens, raising chickens, picking up pecans and walnuts, quilting, fishing, attending neighborhood get-togethers, playing card games, reading, music, and she was very devoted in praying her rosary. She always placed her family first and her children and grandchildren were her greatest enjoyment.

Theresa was preceded in death by spouse of 59 years, Billy; parents, George and Christina; sister, Sr. Agnella Stratman A.S.C.; brother, George Stratman; grandsons, Andrew and Peter Rustemeyer; brothers-in-law, Leonard Muenks and wife, Alvina, Gerald Muenks and Jim Kever; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Schmitz and husband Virgil, Laurine Bias and husband Lucian and Helen Jacquin and husband Robert.

She is survived by children, Frances Rustemeyer and husband Charles of Loose Creek, John Muenks and wife Kathy of Loose Creek, Helen Kliethermes and husband Carl of Tipton, Warren Muenks and wife Debby of Loose Creek, Quintin Muenks and wife Sharon of Westphalia and Danny Muenks and friend Theresa Brandt of Loose Creek; grandchildren, Bethann Stieferman and husband Brad, Brandon Kliethermes and wife Sarah, Austin Kliethermes and wife Joanna, Lauren Kliethermes and friend Kyle, Madison Kliethermes, Matthew Muenks and wife Victoria, Meredith Huhman and husband Matt and JoAnna Muenks and fiancé Clayton, Brittany Rogers and husband Jesse, Renata Eiken and husband Matthew, Macy Bauer, and husband Kaleb, Max and Quin Muenks, Jessica Phelps and husband Billy and Jennifer Chilsohm and husband Marques; great-grandchildren, Preston, Elliott, Maren, Caleb, Shawn, Emmett, Nolan, Addison, Peyton, Lyndsay, Logan, Leo, Dylan, Lyric, Maddux and Ayla, along with one on the way; sister, Ann Muenks-Kever of Loose Creek; sisters-in-law, Nina Stratman of Vienna and Lillian Konnyu and husband Ernie of San Jose, Calif.; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 21, at Morton Chapel in Linn.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 22, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Loose Creek with Fr. Anthony Rinaldo officiating. Interment will follow in the Immaculate Conception Parish Cemetery.

Memorial contributions suggested to Masses or the Loose Creek Sewing Circle.

Arrangements entrusted to Morton Chapel in Linn.