Esther C. (Oehlert) Petzoldt

Esther C. Petzoldt, 80, of Jackson, passed away Thursday, February 6, 2025, at Jackson Manor Nursing Home. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to many.

She was born April 1, 1944, in Perryville, Missouri, to Theodore "Ted" R. and Ella L. Sticht Oehlert. She was baptized April 16, 1944, and confirmed March 30, 1958, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Perryville, Missouri. She was a 1958 graduate of the church's grade school, and a 1962 graduate of Perryville High School.

She and Vernon H. F. Petzoldt were married August 24, 1963, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Perryville. Four daughters were born to their union: Tina, Cynthia, Pamela, and Renae. The family joined Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells. After only 13 years of marriage, Vernon died in a fatal truck accident on September 27, 1976. As a single mother, Esther relied on her grit, independence, and determination, and raised her daughters as a very brave single parent.

Esther always worked hard and was dedicated to the task at hand. She worked as a security guard at Procter and Gamble and retired from K-Mart after 17 years of employment. She never knew a stranger and had the ability to talk with anyone, a knack that lent itself well to assisting customers at K-Mart Esther had an infectious laugh that would fill a room. She was an avid gardener and loved her feline fur babies, Fluffy and Tiger.

To cherish her memory, Esther leaves two daughters, Pamela (Robert) Wenger of St. Peters, Missouri, and Renae Petzoldt of Jackson; two sons-in-law, Mark (late Tina) Riehn of Millersville and Paul (late Cynthia) Sinden of Dixon, Missouri;  grandchildren, Zachery Wenger, Cheryl (Adam) Kendall, Briana (Thayne) Warren, Adriane King, John Riehn; a great-granddaughter, Ella Kendall; a sister, Ann (Edgar) Gerler of Gordonville; sister-in-law, Ruth (late Raymond) Oehlert of Perryville; Vernon’s siblings, Bobby (Sandy) Petzoldt of Marble Hill, Elmer (late Doris) Petzoldt of Perryville;   and Vernon’s sister-in-law, Mary (late Roy) Petzoldt of Scott City.

She was preceded in death by two daughters, Cynthia Sinden and Tina Riehn; her husband and parents; siblings, Rudolph (Mary) Oehlert, Elvira (Leonard) Lorenz, and Raymond Oehlert; Vernon’s parents, Russell Adolph and Alieda P. Hemmann Petzoldt; Vernon’s adult siblings:  Norman A. Petzoldt, Roy E. Petzoldt, Royal Petzoldt; and Vernon’s infant siblings, Paul F. and Pauline B. Petzoldt.

Visitation is from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells. The Rev. Steven Theiss will conduct the funeral service at noon, Saturday, Feb. 15. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers are Zachery Wenger, John Riehn, Adam Kendall, Thayne Warren, Robert Piazza, and Scott Derrington.

If considering a memorial contribution, the family suggests the Alzheimer's Association, Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells, or donor's choice of church or charity.

Arrangements by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

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Alzheimer's Association- St. Louis
9370 Olive Blvd, St. Louis MO 63122
Tel: 1-800-272-3900
Web: https://act.alz.org/donate

Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church (New Wells, Mo.)
304 Co Rd 516, New Wells MO 63732
Tel: 1-573-833-6933
Web: http://https://www.facebook.com/IELCNW/

Donor's Charity of Choice