Mary Neumeyer

Mary Elizabeth Schulte Neumeyer, 99, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017, with her family at her side.

Mary was born April 21, 1918, in Jefferson City, Missouri, to Leona Regina Kerperin Schulte and Joseph "John" Henry Schulte. She was the second oldest of eight children who grew up in a close-knit family of siblings and cousins located in Jefferson City and Kansas City. The family were members of St. Peter Parish next to the Missouri State Capitol. Mary was proud of her family's emphasis on reading and education.

She worked for the Works Progress Administration (WPA) for nine years in Rolla, St. Louis, Farmington and Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Mary met the love of her life, Gordon Neumeyer, on a bus ride from St. Louis to Farmington in 1941. After waiting for him throughout World War II, writing endless, thoughtful letters, they were married in 1946.

As a member of St Mary's Cathedral Parish for 71 years, she enjoyed supporting her children at St. Mary's Grade School and Notre Dame High School in Cape Girardeau. Mary was a charter member of the Cape Girardeau County Women's Democratic Club and was recognized in 2013 for her many years of service, including staffing the local campaign headquarters. She was assistant leader of Girl Scout Troop 85. She was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. Mary was also a member of a long-standing card club from St. Mary's. As a loving wife and mother, she was always positive and unfailingly supportive of her family. She was an avid reader interested in current events with an amazing memory for family connections, events and birthdays.

She and Gordon were married 62 years. Gordon died in 2008.

She is survived by her children, Don (Jane) of Madison, Wisconsin, Tom (Teresa) of Cape Girardeau and Jeannette (Jon Zinkgraf) of St. Louis; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and one surviving sister, Emily Roseman of St. Louis.

The family extends their appreciation to the staff at the Lutheran Home Assisted Living and Saint Francis Hospice who lovingly cared for Mary in her final years and days.

A visitation is planned to honor Mary's well-lived life and to share stories and remembrances from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at Crain Funeral Home, 829 N. West End Blvd. in Cape Girardeau.

A Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Cathedral. Interment will be at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Mary Neumeyer's name to support the Salvation Army, your local school or library to support reading and literacy, or the charity of your choice.

More information and online condolences can be found at www.crainsonline.com/obituaries.