Mary (Merlati) Bernsen

Mary R. (Merlati) Bernsen, 91, formerly of St. Louis, Missouri, passed away on Friday, September 7, 2018 at Oak Tree Villa surrounded by her family. She was born on July 7, 1927 in St. Louis, Missouri, a daughter of Sam and Anna (Novello) Merlati. Mary was united in marriage to John C. Bernsen on July 12, 1947 in St. Louis. Mary grew up in St. Louis and worked in an office and retail sales for many years. After her retirement, she volunteered at St. Joseph Hospital in Kirkwood, Missouri. She was devoted to her children and their education was considered a priority. She worked part-time in retail to ensure they could attend Catholic grade schools and be able to attend college. Mary was a voracious reader and instilled a love of reading in her daughters at an early age. The girls' friends were always welcome at the Bernsen house, and visitors knew they would be offered Mary's iced tea and homemade chocolate cake. Friends of the girls had a rock band and they were allowed to use the basement to practice in. Her children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren were always an important part of her life, as she was of theirs. The family wishes to thank her friends and caregivers at Oak Tree Villa for the friendship and kindness they gave her over the years she spent there. She is survived by two daughters: Deborah (John Van Eschen) Bernsen of Jefferson City, and Sandy Balentine of Wayne, New Jersey; three grandchildren: Daniel (Kyra) Balentine of Atlanta, Georgia; Kristina (Curt) Daniels of Denver, Colorado; and Jessica Van Eschen of Chicago, Illinois; four great- grandchildren: Ben Balentine, Sophia Daniels, Penelope Daniels and Lucy Rose Daniels. Mary was preceded in death by her late husband, John Bernsen, and one brother, Gus Merlati. Friends will be received from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 6, 2018, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph Chapel followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. with Fr. Louis Nelen officiating. Interment will be private for the family. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made to The Valley Hospital Foundation, Oncology Service, 223 North Van Dien Ave., Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450 or the Callaway Hills Animal Shelter, 2714 State Rd TT, New Bloomfield, MO 65063. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109; (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com.