Mae E. Wiegert

Mae Esther Moeckel Brunkhorst Wiegert Mae Esther Wiegert passed away at the age of 96, on Sunday, August 23, 2020, surrounded by her loving family. Mae was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 29, 1923, on Henrietta Street in St. Louis, Missouri. Mae is survived by her four children, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. They are son Stephen John (Steve) Brunkhorst, married to Margaret (Maggi), grandson Greg Brunkhorst, married to Nicole, and granddaughter Stacey Brunkhorst Taylor, married to Matthew (Matt), and great-grandchildren Madison (Mattie) Taylor, Elise Taylor and Maxwell (Max) Taylor; daughter Barbara Mae (Brunkhorst) Pearson, granddaughter Keri Pearson Ramsey, great-grandson Benjamin Ramsey, and granddaughter Meredith Pearson Santos, married to Neil, and great-grandchildren Dakota Santos, and Lianni Pearson Jelves Santos; son Douglas Lee (Doug) Brunkhorst, married to Donna, and grandson Jonathan Brunkhorst, married to Jennifer, and granddaughter Krista Brunkhorst Rohlmann, married to Nick; and daughter Elizabeth Kay (Brunkhorst) Oram, married to Frederic (Fred). Mae is also survived by her sister, Emily Moeckel Courtright; and also by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She is preceded in death by her first husband Elmer John Brunkhorst, and second husband Clarence Robert Wiegert; father Hartmann John Moeckel, and mother Nancy Emma Rohlfing Moeckel; and sisters Margaret Moeckel Kunst, and Ione Moeckel Schroeder. Mae went to grade school at Hodgen Elementary School, on California Ave, St. Louis, Missouri. She attended McKinley High School, and graduated at age 16. Mae attended the well-respected Margaret Hickey School for Secretaries, or “Miss Hickey’s,” on Delmar & Skinker Streets, St. Louis, and then went to work to help support her family. Mae’s first job was at JJ Newberry 5-10-25 Cent Store with sister Emily. Mae worked as a secretary at Ralston Purina in the 1940s, and was a homemaker for many years, raising her children. She learned to drive and went back to work when Steve was headed to college--followed by the other children--so she could help support the family. Her favorite job was working at the Missouri Botanical Garden, as the Executive Assistant to the Administrator of the Garden. In her career, Mae was a secretary, executive secretary, and executive assistant to the director or president of several other large organizations, including Lexington United (Lenox Plastics), and Laclede Groves, a Lutheran Community for Seniors. Even while working, she was an amazing, creative homemaker, full time, and then also while working outside the home. Mae’s hobbies and interests included playing cards--especially Canasta and later Bridge--but almost any kind of card game. She also loved sewing, reading, water walking, Tai Chi, ballroom dancing, square dancing, attending plays and musicals, traveling in the United States and abroad, and tutoring underprivileged children. Mae also sewed bags--and filled them with toothpaste, toothbrushes, washrags, soap and small stuffed animals--for children who were going from abusive families into foster care. Mae belonged to a Circle of women at Concord Trinity United Methodist Church. She attended Compton Hill church growing up; Hope Lutheran Evangelical with Elmer and her family; and Concord Trinity United Methodist Church with Clarence, and on her own. Most recently, Mae attended services at Friendship Village and Fountain View Assisted Living. Mae was buried at Valhalla Cemetery on Wednesday, August 26, 2020. The service was attended by immediate family members only. The family will hold a memorial celebration of Mae’s life at a future time. In memory of Mae, please consider making a donation to Concord Trinity United Methodist Church, 5275 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63126 (concordtrinity.org); or to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).

Mae E. Wiegert

November 29, 1923 - August 23, 2020