Catherine Ann (Backes) Muenks, 90, Loose Creek, left this earthly world and those she loved dearly Monday, Dec. 6, 2021.
A lifelong resident of Osage County, she was born May 26, 1931, to the late Conrad and Anna (Bescheinen) Backes. During the Depression, Conrad found work through the WPA, part of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal public work projects. The young family lived for a time in St. Charles and other locations, wherever the work took them. Upon Conrad’s untimely death in 1943, Anna and the girls returned to Loose Creek. In 1946, Anna married Herbert Schaefer. Catherine and Diane were at Herb’s side when he passed in 2006.
She was united in marriage to Virgil Muenks Nov. 4, 1971 and had he survived an automobile accident on icy roads Jan.17, 1985, they would be celebrating 50 years of marriage this year. Catherine was a loving wife and mother, devoted daughter and sister, valued aunt and good friend to many.
Catherine graduated from Immaculate Conception School and was a member of Immaculate Conception Church. She sang in the adult choir for years and was a member of St. Ann’s Sodality. Catherine was captain of the beef cooking team for 42 years, overseeing the best German pot roast for the annual I.C. Church picnic. She was a member of the “Good Time” Red Hatters and was an avid league bowler who bowled a 300 on several occasions.
She was employed by Missouri Division of Employment Security until her retirement, when she set up her ceramics shop in the basement and perfected that craft. Her love for anything Santa is evident in her ceramic pieces, having grown into a collection that overtook the family room and stayed. Her “Santa Room” always brought joy to those who visited.
Virgil was a widower, having taken in four children to that marriage. Catherine jumped in with both feet, helping him raise those children. Karen Haslag and friend Roger Hurlbert, Karla Troth and husband Richard, Khristy Schepers and husband Mark and Lenny Haslag and wife Fran.
She was known as “Catherine” but referred to lovingly as “mom”. She is grandmother to Christopher Schepers and wife Angela, Stephanie Cornell and husband Ryan, Andy Schepers and wife Nicole, Nick Schepers and wife Amy, Erin Fahs and husband Bryan, Nathan Haslag and wife Ashley and Adam Haslag and friend Lauren Burkhard. Her 15 great-grandchildren always put a sparkle in her eye and joy in her heart. They are Autumn, Mary, George, Emma, James, Jessie and Clara Cornell, Amelia and Isaac Fahs, Clara and Jase Haslag, Mason Armentrout, Tyler and Sawyer Haslag and Robin Schepers. Two other great- grandchildren are expected in 2022. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Leonard Borgmeyer; and the Borgmeyer nephews, niece-in-laws and their families. There was a special place in her heart for them.
She enjoyed camping and trout fishing at Bennet Springs especially with her sister, Diane and many other people from the Loose Creek area, playing Canasta and traveling. Catherine was vacationing in Cuba in 1953 when the Cuban Revolution started and she and her travel companions were whisked away back to the states quite suddenly as chaos broke around them. Catherine had a great interest in people, often watching from the comfort of her car as people around her went about their days. To know her was to love her, and it was impossible not to catch her affection for life.
Catherine was preceded in death by husband, Virgil; parents, Conrad and Anna; stepfather; sister, Diane (Dote) Backes Borgmeyer; grandson, Isaac Schepers; nephew, Tom Borgmeyer and great-nephew, Eric Borgmeyer.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., (today) Wednesday, Dec. 8, at Morton Chapel in Linn.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 9, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Loose Creek with Fr. Anthony Rinaldo officiating. Interment will be at Immaculate Conception Parish Cemetery.
Memorial contributions suggested to Immaculate Conception Church for Restoration of Stations of the Cross.
Arrangements entrusted to Morton Chapel in Linn.
