Theresa E. Muenks

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

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

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

On May 30, 1956, she was united in marriage to Wilbert “Billy” J. Muenks at Visitation Catholic Church in Vienna.  He preceded her in death on February 20, 2016.

At the age of 18 she began teaching grades 1-4 in a two-room school in Brinktown.  After 5 years, she taught grades 1-4 at Renneke School in Argyle for one year.  After six years of teaching, Theresa 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.  She also was a member of St. Ann’s Sodality and 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 is survived by: six children, Frances Rustemeyer and her husband Charles of Loose Creek, John Muenks and his wife Kathy of Loose Creek, Helen Kliethermes and her husband Carl of Tipton, Warren Muenks and his wife Debby of Loose Creek, Quintin Muenks and his wife Sharon of Westphalia and Danny Muenks and friend Theresa Brandt of Loose Creek; 15 grandchildren, Bethann (Brad) Stieferman; Brandon (Sarah) Kliethermes, Austin (Joanna) Kliethermes, Lauren and her friend Kyle, and Madison Kliethermes; Matthew (Victoria) Muenks, Meredith (Matt) Huhman, and JoAnna Muenks (Fiancé Clayton); Brittany (Jesse) Rogers; Renata (Matthew) Eiken, Macy (Kaleb) Bauer, Max and Quin Muenks; Jessica (Billy) Phelps; and Jennifer (Marques) Chilsohm; 16 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; one sister, Ann Muenks-Kever of Loose Creek; two sisters-in-law, Nina Stratman of Vienna and Lillian Konnyu and her husband Ernie of San Jose, CA; along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

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

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at Morton Chapel in Linn.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 22, 2022, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Loose Creek with Fr. Anthony Rinaldo as the Celebrant.  Interment will follow in the Immaculate Conception Parish Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to Masses or Loose Creek Sewing Circle.

Arrangements are under the direction of Morton Chapel, Linn, Missouri (897-2214) www.mortonchapel.com