Mary Celeste Wasinger

Mary Celeste Wasinger, 75, of Springfield, died peacefully fortified by the Sacraments of the Church, Thursday October 7, 2010, in St. Martin's Convent where she stayed during her late illness.

Mary was born on October 12, 1934, in Victoria, Kansas, to Susanna and Peter Wasinger, and was the tenth of their 11 children. She was baptized into her Roman Catholic faith in St. Fedelis Church in Victoria, Kansas. Mary was a unifier. She always brought people together and enjoyed a good laugh. She was a member of St. Agnes Cathedral Parish in Springfield, Missouri. She attended St. George Grade School and Linn High School in Linn, Missouri and continued her education at Drury University, Springfield.

She was employed by Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (formerly the St. Louis San Francisco Railway) in St. Louis and Springfield, Missouri for 34 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Susanna (Hammerschmidt) Wasinger; her niece, Kristine Wasinger MSU, Springfield, Missouri; brothers, Emil, of Florissant, Missouri, Felix, of Denver, Colorado, Bill, of Cincinnati, Ohio, Marion, of Hannibal, Missouri, Bob, of Houston Texas, and Thomas, of Titusville, Florida; and one sister, Bernice (Wasinger) Voss, of Linn, Missouri.

Survivors are Emanuel J Wasinger, of St. Louis, Lucille (Wasinger) Grelle, of St. Louis; and sister, Bernita Wasinger SSND, of St. Martins. Mary loved her 35 nieces and nephews, and her many great grand and great-great grand nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received from 4 to 6 p.m., Tuesday October 12, 2010, in the Houser-Millard Funeral Home, with a prayer service to follow at 6 p.m. Additional visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Thursday October 14, 2010, in the St. Agnes Cathedral Springfield, Missouri. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30, Thursday October 14, 2010, in the St. Agnes Cathedral Springfield, Missouri. Mary will be laid to rest at 4 p.m., Thursday October 14, 2010, in the St. George Catholic Cemetery, Linn, Missouri. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the School Sister of Notre Dame Retirement Fund, Missionary Work, or S.S.M. Home Health and Hospice. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street; 636-3838. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com

Published in the News-Leader on October 10, 2010.