Alma Leona Sangster, age 98, of Edina, MO, passed away Sunday, May 6, 2012, in the Knox County Nursing Home in Edina, MO.
She was born January 6, 1914, in Washington Township, Osage County near the town of Freeburg, MO, the daughter of Henry Alexander and Antonia Elizabeth Vermoillen Richter.
The oldest of four children she attended Holy family Parochial grade school in Freeburg, MO, graduating in 1927. Alma immediately began working for her aunt Pauline and her family of thirteen kids as a domestic housekeeper. She later continued domestic housekeeping for various large families in Jefferson City and St. Louis, MO. Alma left domestic housework and went to work at Medarts Restaurant in south St. Louis while attending Comptometry Classes. Upon completing Comptometry training Alma was employed by Paramount Shoe Company from 1937 until 1941. Alma then worked for Union Electric and General Electric Company during the time her husband was overseas in World War II. Alma married Robert Thomas Sangster on September 24, 1941, in the St. Louis Cathedral, St. Louis, MO. To this marriage three sons Robert Thomas, William Henry, and Edward Joseph Sangster where born. The family lived in St. Louis, MO until the spring of 1951, when they moved to a farm five miles southwest of Edina, MO. Alma was an avid gardener, and enjoyed the life of a farm wife and mother. Alma also enjoyed oil painting, especially rural landscapes and scenes with wildlife critters. Most everyone in the family has at least one if not more of her paintings in their home along with several of the many ornate pillows she was fond of making. Alma worked for a short time at the Knox County Nursing Home in 1977 and continued to live in rural Knox County until the death of her husband in 2001. Alma then moved to the Knox County Residential Care Facility in June of 2001. After moving to the RCF Alma was selected as OATS volunteer of the year in 2004, and was a regular on the OATS Bus Thursday ride to Kirksville. While in the RCF Alma continued making pillows for her eleven grandchildren and her ten great grandchildren. Alma has been a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church since moving to Knox County and regularly enjoyed the sacraments. Alma will long be remembered as a God-loving, family-loving matriarch of the remaining Sangster family.
Surviving are her three children, Robert Thomas Sangster and wife Jennifer of suburban Hunnewell, MO, William Henry Sangster and wife Jana of Gays Mills, WI, and Edward Joseph Sangster of Atlanta, MO, eleven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren, Jimmy Sangster of Booneville, MO, Billy Sangster and wife Ashley Ann and daughter Emerson Ann of Virginia Beach, VA, Bobby Sangster and wife Letitia and son Robert Clay of California, MO, Elizabeth Sangster and son Max of Indianapolis, IN, Andy and husband Dave Lee of Indianapolis, IN, Eric Sangster of Valparaiso, IN, Kurt Sangster and wife Carol of Valparaiso, IN, Michelle Sangster of Hartford, CT, Leslie Sangster and husband Jack Cabral and children, Jack Thomas and Scout of Hubert, NC, Chris Sangster and wife Jill and children Jacky, Augustus, Oscar and Levi of Denver, CO, Sean Sangster and daughter Annie of St. Louis, MO, one brother Joseph Richter and wife Irma of Freeburg, MO, and six nieces and nephews. Alma was preceded in death by her husband Robert Sangster, her parents, and two brothers Vincent and Harold Richter.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 A.M. Friday, May 11, 2012, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Edina, MO. Celebrating the Mass will be Father Joseph Hoi. Music will be provided by Nancy Reardon, organist and Brent Karhoff, soloist. Burial will be in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
Casket bearers will be her grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Thursday, May 10, 2012, after 4 p.m. with family receiving friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Edina, MO.
Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, in the Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church or the Knox County Nursing Home. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1, Edina, MO 63537. On line condolences may be left at www.hudsonrimerfh.com