Mary Riesenmy

(From Parker Mortuary)

Mary Elizabeth Riesenmy, age 91, Joplin, passed away on Friday, November 11, 2016 peacefully at her home surrounded by family.

Mary was born July 6, 1925 in St. Louis, Missouri, daughter of the late Joseph and Catherine Fleck. She attended Central High School in St. Louis before working as a nurse's aide in the St. Louis area. She moved to the Joplin area in 1966. She worked for Sears for many years, and was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church where she was a Eucharistic Minister serving the local nursing homes, and volunteered to clean the rectory at the church. She married Robert P. Riesenmy in 1941, and the couple had nine children.

Mary had a very outgoing personality that made her loved by her family and friends, and helped with her career in sales. She loved to make people laugh, and was cherished by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by all, but her legacy will live on through her large family.

In addition to her parents, and her husband of 53 years, Robert, Mary was preceded in death by daughter, Mary Elizabeth "Maribeth" Nance, son, Jeffry Scott Riesenmy, and a grandchild, Lladha Riesenmy.

Survivors include her children, Robert Riesenmy, Jr. and wife Maggie of Wilton, Missouri, Suzanne Scherger and husband Jim, Renee Trewyn, Pam Farris, Paula Ritzman and husband Mike, Brandon Riesenmy and wife Jackie, David Riesenmy (Ellen), and daughter-in-law, Michelle Riesenmy all of Joplin; grandchildren, Nathan Riesenmy, Emilie Debyl, Robbie Debyl, Lori Dale (Mike), Shannon Phillips, Michael Smith (Bobbie), Aimee Lindstrand (Jon), Emilie Scovill (Will), Matthew Trewyn (Karen), Rollin Trewyn (Sera), Nichole Farris, Christopher Farris (Kimberly), Anna Cunningham (Cody), Maggie Flanigan (Will), Jeffry Riesenmy Jr., Halley Riesenmy, Rhiannon Riesenmy, Tiernon Riesenmy, Natalie Riesenmy, Christian Riesenmy, Hailey Riesenmy; many beloved great and great-great grandchildren; sister, Josephine Sumpter of Los Angeles, California.

Private family graveside services will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to her husband.

A memorial mass will be held at a later date at St. Mary's Catholic Church.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to The Charlotte Lowry Foundation for Music and Memory or Hospice Care.