Alene Dorothy Plackemeier

Alene Dorothy Plackemeier (nee Heitmann) of St. Charles, MO, passed away on December 31, 2024, at the age of 92. Beloved wife of the late Arthur W. Plackemeier; cherished daughter of the late George C. and Martha (Faeth) Heitmann; sister of the late Orvey (Kay) Heitmann and Colleen (Ray) Schaeper; sister-in-law to the late Roy (Audrey) Plackemeier and Maurice (La Verne) Plackemeier. She was the devoted mother of Barbara Lash, the late Jane (Tom) Klinghammer, Robert (Luanne) Plackemeier, and Ellen (Joseph) Mercante; loving "Grammy" to Lucas (Jenny) Lash and Kayla (Garrett) Queeney; Jenna (Matt) Hodges, Lacey (Tom) Anderson, and Elesha (James Fullerton) Klinghammer; Buddy (Rachel) Maday, Patty (Josh) Little, Jim (Samantha) Plackemeier, Andy (Anna) Plackemeier, Laura (Nathan) Hoffmann; Gennaro (Rose) Mercante, and Gabriel Mercante; Great-Grandmother to 18 (and one on the way). 

Born on September 19, 1932, in St. Charles, Missouri, Alene was the youngest of three siblings, earning her the nickname "Babe". She grew up on the family farm in Orchard Farm, attending Immanuel Lutheran and Trinity Lutheran Schools before graduating from St. Charles High School in 1950. She worked as a secretary at McDonnell Aircraft Corp, before her life as a homemaker. 

She married the love of her life, Art, on September 20, 1952, at Trinity Lutheran Church, after he returned from service in Korea. Alene and Art bought their house on Friedens Rd and raised their four children there - hosting many family get-togethers before "moving to town" in 1997. They celebrated 53 years together before Art's passing in 2006. 

Alene, known as "Grammy" and "Aunt Babe" to her family, lived a full life and will always be remembered for her kindness, generosity, quick smile and ready laugh. She loved her family and friends, was a dedicated Cub Scout and Girl Scout Leader, active member of the Orchard Farm VFW Auxiliary, and was always up for an adventure. She loved to bowl and took pride in organizing an annual Breast Cancer Fundraiser for many years, being a survivor herself. 

She enjoyed travelling and walking in the outdoors. She and Art helped organize a local Volksmarching Club, and together they visited all 50 states and Germany in their retirement. She loved animals and always had a soft spot for her "grand-dogs". 

She was known as a master seamstress, sewing everything from ballgowns, to personal clothing, to home decor. She worked part time at Cloth World for many years. She loved to work crosswords and there was often a puzzle "in the works" on her kitchen table. 

Her faith was strong as a life-long Lutheran, being baptized at Trinity Orchard Farm, moving to Zion Lutheran in Harvester for decades as her children grew, before returning to Trinity in her later years. 

Alene was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Memorials may be made in Alene's name to Trinity Lutheran Church (https://trinityorchardfarm.com/) or the Orchard Farm VFW Post & Auxiliary 4219.