Virginia E. “Jean” Buenemeyer, age 96, of Germantown, died April 14, 2024.
Virginia was born November 15, 1927, in Germantown, a daughter of the late Conrad and Clara, nee Kohrmann, Winter.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth, whom she married May 30,1951, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Germantown; four siblings, Bernette “Mooky” Leonard, Clara Boevingloh, Marcel “Smitty” Winter, and William “Slick” Winter; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Thomas “Bud” Boevingloh, Ralph and Arlene Musec, and Mary Ann Winter.
She is survived by three daughters, Jacqueline (Roger) Boeckmann of Germantown; Sheila (Mike) Bruegge of Effingham; and Lisa Zolezzi of Long Beach, CA; five grandchildren, Leah (Bob) Stanek of Lockport, IL; Philip (Emily) Boeckmann of Kirkwood, MO; Meredith (Derek) Schulte of Breese; Ellen (Evan) Hook of Champaign, and Lydia (Chris) Beck of Minden, NV; two step grandchildren, Alexis (Ross) Garrett and Nicholas Zolezzi, both of CA; thirteen great grandchildren; sister-in-law Marie “Mert” Winter of Germantown; and brother-in-law Wilbert “Bill” Leonard of Breese.
After raising her daughters, Virginia worked for 20 years at the Marine Garment Factory in Highland as a trimmer and inspector in the shipping department. She then spent many years cleaning and straightening the showrooms and interacting with customers at Bruegge Furniture. She volunteered for 45 years as an election judge in Clinton County, and, in her later years, at Carlyle Nursing Home.
Virginia was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother lovingly known as “Grandma Jean.” She was an avid home cook and baker who reveled in sharing her confections with her family and friends often baking birthday cakes or testing out a new recipe she clipped from a magazine or newspaper. She was especially known for her homemade applesauce, made from her own tart apples; her homemade kettle corn; her festive pressed Christmas cookies; and charming pastel Easter basket cookies that brought great joy during the holidays.
Virginia was an energetic woman who took great pride in a clean and tidy home. She enjoyed staying active with routine walks and daily chores, always telling those who admired her longevity that “you just gotta keep moving!” She listened to KMOX radio daily, consistently tuning in for the St. Louis Cardinals or watching them play on TV.
She adored her grandchildren, rarely missing one of their events, always babysitting them or hosting them for a highly-anticipated sleepover or Spassfest-weekend gathering. Well into her 90s, she could often be found walking her great grandchildren hand-in-hand to play at nearby Schoendienst Park or sneaking them candy and quarters when they came to visit.
She was fond of traveling, often to California, to visit with family. Family was always a priority for Jean, especially her beloved sister Mooky, with whom she loved to laugh.
Virginia was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church and St. Mary’s Altar Sodality.
Visitation will be 10:00-11:45 am on Thursday, April 18, 2024, with a funeral mass of Christian burial to follow immediately at 12:00pm with Fr. Thomas Lugge presiding. Interment will follow in St. Boniface Cemetery in Germantown.
In lieu of flowers, plants, and other gifts, memorials may be made to Germantown Park District and will be received at the visitation or by mail to Moss Funeral Home, 535 N. 5th St., Breese, IL 62230, who is serving the family.
