Esther W. Muckenfuss

Esther Wilhelmina Emma Froeschner Muckenfuss was born on Saturday, March 1st 1913 in St. Louis, Missouri. She was for first child of Ted & Edna Froeschner and their only daughter. They lived in Walnut Park along with many extended family members and attended Salvator E & R Church. She was followed by 5 brothers; Ted, Bud, Gil, Em & Lou. Besides being the "big sister" and helper to raise her brothers, she began "working" very young. She folded clothes at the dry goods store on West Florissant, helped stock fruits & vegetables at the local market, set ladies hair and babysat – all before getting real jobs. When she graduaed 8th grade in 1928 she went to work – first for a trucking company, then at multiple dime stores. She later went to night high school and earned her GED. She became a cashier at the dime store on 14th street and after a couple years was approached by the lady family members who owned the riverboats "Streckfus Steamers". She worked asa cashier on multiple boats; the JS, Capitol, President and finally the Admiral. In 1939 she went on a blind date and met her future husband Henry Muckenfuss from Logansport Indiana. After a short courtship, they were married on October 6, 1940. Soon after their marriage Hank went into the army and was stationed in London, England with the Allied Command. While he was gone Esther got a job at Bell Telephone in downtown St Louis and continued to work there until the birth of their first daughter.

On July 4th 1947 Gail Ellen was born and on June 5th 1953 Claire Ardene was born. From 1947 until 1971 they lived in Walnut Park on Plover Avenue (down the block from her maternal grandmother). Esther spent those years enjoying her girls, helping her parents, having the neighborhood play place and serving as Sunday school teacher along with other church work at Salvator. She always filled in as cashier for Hank during the busy Easter, Christmas and back to school seasons. And off and on helped with a new "store opening" for a couple months. She returned to work for Streckfus in 1969 as head cashier & purser. When the news of breast cancer came in 1970, Esther gave it her best shot and underwent a radical mastectomy. The surgery was a success in eradicating the cancer, but left her weak. Several other surgeries for multiple diseases continued for many years. But as we all know the strong willed Esther persevered and continued to be the "life of the party", always ready to have FUN!
Esther always LOVED her family -- no matter how extended it became and enjoyed so much keeping in touch with many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews as well as her immediate brothers, sister-in-laws & brother-in-laws. Summer vacation was spent in Indiana with Hanks brothers and their families. Throughout the rest of the year holidays, birthdays and just about any other excuse was grounds for a family party and Esther LOVED her time with family. These traditions continued from her childhood on and in her later years she celebrated those same events with her two daughters and their families.

Esther could name every grandchild and great-grandchild to the end. She loved each one of them and knew exactly what they were doing because she always made sure she was informed about the latest "news". She has 8 grandchildren: Wendy, Jenni, Carrie, Deann, Stacey, Kelly, Laura & Kurt. And 13 great-grandchildren: Sarah, Marshal, Courtney, Lacey, Patrick, Lexi, Kyle, Brooklyn, Keira, Emma, Ella, Jake & Karra. She loved and enjoyed every addition added to our family and welcomed them with open arms! The extended family members know she enjoyed all the time she spent with you, and ALL of you helped to make her "family" complete.

As we have gone through her many collections of "memories", we can see the love that was exchanged with so many friends and family members through cards, notes, flowers, dinners and special events! You ALL helped to make her life full and complete and she cherished your LOVE!
Thank you for coming to helping us "celebrate" the long and full life of Esther – our GG.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brothers Ted, Bud, Em and Lou Froeschner.

Funeral Services will be 6:00 pm Sunday, March 12, 2017 at Newcomer Funeral Home, 837 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, St. Peters, Missouri 63376 with Pastor Robert Feeler officiating. Visitation will be from 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Newcomer Funeral Home.


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