Lager Diekemper, Mary

Mary E. Lager Diekemper, 89, of Breese, died Sunday, October 27, 2013 at Caring First Nursing Home in Breese. She was born January 13, 1924 in Carlyle, daughter of Ferdinand and Gertrude (Sautmann) Schiermann. She married Jerome C. Lager May 4, 1946 in Carlyle and he preceded her in death October 16, 1976. On August 25, 1984 she married Joseph B. Diekemper at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Marydale and he preceded her in death on February 19, 2009. She is survived by her son, Jerry (Kim) Lager of Highland; step children, Wayne (Dorothy) Diekemper, Joseph W. (Mickey) Diekemper, and Jerome Diekemper all of Carlyle, Julia Diekemper of Shelbyville, and Gerri Pingsterhaus of Germantown; one grandson, Charlie Lager; 10 step grandchildren, 16 step great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Mildred Schiermann of Atlanta, GA, John Garde of Hawaii, Theresa Marie & Frank Becker of Florissant, MO, Margaret Nettles of Carlyle, and Mary Ellen Bedard of Breese. In addition to her parents and husbands she was preceded in death by a daughter, Charmaine Lager; a son, Anthony Lager in infancy; a sister, Joan Garde; a brother, Louis Schiermann; a step daughter-in-law, Elaine Diekemper; a step son-in-law, Larry Pingsterhaus; three step great-grandchildren, Talen Pingsterhaus, Katie Diekemper, and Troy Diekemper; and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Marcelle & John Kaido, Charles Bedard, Loretta Schoendienst, and William “Bill” Nettles. Mrs. Lager Diekemper operated Arthur J. Lager Monument Company in Breese with her husband, Jerome Lager, which was started in 1914 by Arthur J. Lager. She was a member of St. Dominic Parish in Breese. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese with Rev. Patrick Peter officiating. Burial will follow at St. Dominic/St. Augustine Cemetery in Breese. Friends may call from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at Hempen Funeral Home in Breese. Memorials may be made to Clinton County Humane Society and will be received at the funeral home.