Frances J Vogelsang

Frances Julia Vogelsang Born on January 31, 1930 Died March 19, 2014 On Saturday, March 29, 2014, services will begin with visitation at John Knox Presbyterian Church, 13200 New Halls Ferry Road, MO 63033 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. The Memorial Service will follow the visitation at 10:30 a.m. After the service, family and friends will proceed to Valhalla Funeral Chapel, 47600 St. Charles Rock Road, St. Louis MO. 63133, for an interment service. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the St. Louis Area Multiple Sclerosis Society would be appreciated. Frances Julia Vogelsang (nee Steiner) was the sixth of eight children born to Michael and Theresa Steiner. She was a graduate of Riverview Gardens High School. Frances married Eugene Charles Vogelsang; they were divorced. Frances J. Vogelsang was preceded in death by her parents, and 5 siblings, Wilma Steiner, Robert Steiner, Mary Jane Steiner (nee Fish), Betty Gassel (nee Steiner), John Steiner, and Richard Steiner. Frances is survived by her sisters, Helen Roth (nee Steiner) and Peggy Cooley (nee Steiner), and many nieces and nephews. Her greatest joy was her family. Her children are Carol Slotten (Stephen), Peggy Humphrey (Donald), Theresa Tarwater, and Charles Vogelsang. Her grandchildren are Stephen Kyle Slotten (Julie Anne), Juliane Ross (David), Jessica Stergos (Luke), John Humphrey (Barbara), Theresa Gaglio (Nicholas), John Tarwater, and Kevin Tarwater. Her great-grandchildren are Mikayla Humphrey, Miley Humphrey, John-David Humphrey, Jacob Humphrey, Anthony J. Gaglio, and Landon Ross. Frances worked many jobs to support her family but she enjoyed her bus driving jobs the best. She loved the children and called them “her kids”. The safety of “her kids” was her top priority. She took great pride in making sure that the buses were well maintained. The bus safety inspections always scored the highest in the area. She was an active member of the Missouri Association of Pupil Transportation during her career and for a while after her retirement. She received the Administrator of the Year Award in 1992 and served as President from 1992 to 1993. She retired from the Riverview Gardens School District Transportation Department in 1995 after serving for 30 years. Over the course of her adult life Frances did volunteer work for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Multiple Sclerosis Society, and Meals on Wheels. She was known to help residents of the skilled care homes where her brother and sister resided. Frances had many hobbies. She knit, crocheted, sewed, read, collected white glass, tea pots, and depression glass. Her favorite pastime was to garden; planting flowers and vegetables with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She seemed to have a green thumb. She especially enjoyed participating in the International Association of Jim Beam Bottle and Specialties Club. She collected different decanters. During her participation in the club, she developed strong friendships locally and worldwide. One of her favorite poems is “The Dash” by Linda Ellis. A line in the poem reads “But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years. For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth… And now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.” Her legacy is that she gave the miracle of love so that we can give it to each other. She touched many lives. There is no doubt that her dash is one to be proud of. She is missed.

Frances J Vogelsang

January 31, 1930 - March 19, 2014