Mary Diesing

Diesing, Mary Elizabeth (Brunk), 97, died April 22, 2015. She had been a resident of Imboden Creek Living Center. Mary was born November 19, 1917, in Lexington, MO, the daughter of Hanford and Maymie (Olsen) Brunk. She grew up in California, MO, and was valedictorian of the Class of 1936 there. After studying at Central Missouri State Teachers' College, she taught in one-room schools in central Missouri for 5 years. In 1942, she moved to St. Louis. She married William T. Diesing, Jr., on May 3, 1947. Mary was a homemaker and active in school and church activites until she returned to the work force in 1967. In 1982 she retired from the State of Missouri Psychiatric Program where she had been a medical secretary. She also kept the accounts for her husband's advocation, Bill Diesing's Electric Train Service. They repaired Lionel trains for over 50 years and helped in the construction of numerous displays for major department stores throughout the Midwest. Mary enjoyed sewing for her daughter and granddaughter. She and Bill traveled throughout the US, Canada, and Europe. Many of those trips included the various bands that Bill played in, especially Moolah and Ainad Shrine's Brass Bands. They also enjoyed hosting families whose children were patients at the St. Louis unit of Shriner's Hospital for treatment before the Ronald McDonald houses were established. Mary was a member of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in St. Louis where she served as an Elder, Deacon, and president of the Women's Association. She was a 75 year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Oriental Chapter in St. Louis and the Temple Club of Moolah Shrine Center. She is survived by her daughter, Linda Jane Cooper, Decatur, and two grandchildren, Robert Thomas Cooper and Barbara Jane Cooper. She has 3 nieces, Debbie (David) Sparks, Lee Ann (Kenny) Ashley, both of California, MO, and Lynn (Bill) Heisel of Mapleton, IL. She also had 2 great-nephews and 6 great-nieces and 7 great-great-nephews and 4 great-great nieces. She was the last of her siblings. Her husband, Bill, preceeded her in death September 8, 2003, and her son-in-law, Jim, on February 8, 2005. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Shriners' Hospital, 2001 S. Lindberg Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63131. Services will be held at Brintlinger & Earl Funeral Home, 2827 N. Oakland, Decatur, IL. Visitation will be Saturday, May 16 at 9:30AM with services at 10:30AM. Graveside services will be at Lake Bank Cemetery following the funeral home services. "
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