Obituaries

Bernadine Loethen

Photo of Bernadine Loethen
Bernadine Theresa Loethen, 94, of Wellsville, Mo., formerly of Jefferson City, died Wednesday, February 8, 2012, at Audrain Medical Center in Mexico, Mo. She was born on July 24, 1917, in Jefferson City, the daughter of the late Henry J. and Margaret Dampf Arens. She was married in November, 1936, in Jefferson City to Clarence Bernard Loethen, who passed away on September 13, 2001. A 1933 graduate of St. Peter High School, Mrs. Loethen retired in 1984 from Oak View Trailer Park, which she and her husband had owned for 22 years, and from a cattle farm which they operated for 30 years. She had earlier been employed with International Shoe Company for eight years and with Overman Manufacturing Co. Through the years she had been a devoted member of St. Joseph Cathedral, St. Martin Catholic Church, and Resurrection Catholic Church in Wellsville, Mo. She had served as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Martin and Resurrection churches, and was a member of the Fifty-Plus Club and Ladies Sodality. She had served as an election poll worker and volunteered with the Red Cross Blood Mobile. She enjoyed playing music with her husband, Clarence, and friends at nursing homes and senior citizen centers in and around Jefferson City for more than 16 years. Her other interests included dancing, playing cards, crocheting, quilting, and flower gardening. Her greatest love was for her family. Survivors include: one daughter, Margaret A. Nilges, Wellsville, Mo.; seven grandchildren, Michael (Joy) Nilges, Brazito, Mo., Diana (Rick) Smith, Ashland, Mo., Barbara (Dewey) Straube, Vandalia, Mo., Mark (Kathy) Nilges, Montgomery City, Mo., Melanie (Roger) Carr, Wellsville, Mo., Stephen (LuAnn) Nilges, Farber, Mo. and Jim (Kelly) Nilges, Wardsville, Mo.; 19 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one great-grandson, Cody Nilges; two brothers, Francis Arens and Herman Arens; one son-in-law, Melvin Nilges; two sisters-in-law, Fredonia Arens and Agnes Arens; and one nephew, Gene Loethen. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m., Monday, February 13, 2012, at St. Martin Catholic Church, with the Rev. Edwin A. Schmidt and the Rev. P. Gregory Oligschlaeger concelebrating. Entombment will be in Resurrection Cemetery Mausoleum. Visitation will be 3-6 p.m. Sunday at St. Martin Catholic Church, with a prayer service at 2:30 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association, 1944-A East Sunshine, Springfield, MO 65804; or the American Cancer Society, 2413 Hyde Park Road, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at www.dulletrimble.com.

Published February 11, 2012