Mary Sue Flentge-Capshaw

Mary Sue Flentge-Capshaw, 88, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, July 10, 2022, in the Hospice Unit at the Lutheran Home, where she had been a resident for the last few months.

She was born May 2, 1934, in Idalia, Missouri, to Jesse Jennings and Lou Jane Corbin. She was the baby of the family and was preceded in death by her brothers, Vernon, Charles and Don; an infant brother and sister, Jessie Lou.

She and Richard William Flentge were married Feb. 28, 1953, while she was a student at Southeast Missouri State College. Richard preceded her in death May 23, 1995. She later married Ben Capshaw, who also preceded her in death.

After her children started in grade school, she completed her bachelor's degree in vocational home economics at Southeast in 1969 and with her master's in secondary education in 1982. She taught home economics at Cape Girardeau Central Junior High School for 25 years, retiring in 1996. She was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church, L.U.C.Y. Sunday School Class and Wednesday Morning Prayer Group, among other groups.

She is survived by four children, Cathy Tenkhoff, Patty (Todd) Lay, Mary Gaye (Mike) Banas and Richard (Ellen) Flentge II; grandchildren, Brian (Jacqueline), Blake (Rachael) and Mary Catherine Tenkhoff, John and Adam Lay, Megan (Ben) Genard, Molly Banas, Moriah (Nate) Swedberg, Michael (Chandler) Banas, Gibson, Coleman and Brody Flentge; great-grandchildren, Aubrey and Olivia Tenkhoff, Noah and Ava Tenkhoff, with another due in August, Joshua, Aria, Andrew, Genard, Olive and Estelle Swedberg, Hewitt Banas, Easton and Cooper Flentge. She is also survived by her beloved friend and caretaker, Thelma Williams.

She loved her family and friends beyond words.

If you want to honor her life, consider a donation to Centenary Church or Teen Challenge instead of flowers.

The family extends its gratitude to all who helped with her care the past few years and especially Lutheran Home Hospice.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at Centenary United Methodist Church.

Funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. at the church with the Rev. Jennifer Long officiating. Burial will take place at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.