Tonnies, Estelle

Estelle C. Tonnies, 98, of Albers, died Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at Caring First Nursing Home in Breese. She was born February 22, 1916 in Damiansville, daughter of Frank and Anna (Hilmes) Fuehne. She married Vincent A. Tonnies on May 11, 1938 in Damiansville and he preceded her in death on February 17, 1978. She is survived by her children, Elaine (Dennis) Behrmann, Steve (Susan) Tonnies all of Albers, Kathy (John) Frerker, Carol (Patrick) Hitpas all of Breese, Robert (Donna) Tonnies of Grass Valley, CA, Russ (Kimberly) Tonnies of Brentwood, TN, and Eric (Linda) Tonnies of Albers; two sons-in-law, Andrew Kramper of St. Libory and Ric Yeager of Sycamore; 23 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild; a sister, Rose Mary Spihlmann of Damiansville; a brother, Franklin (Bernice “Bim”) Fuehne of Damiansville; sisters-in-law, Rita “Butch” Fuehne of Damiansville, Lucille Fuehne of Bartelso, and Alice Perkins of Waxahachie, TX. In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by two daughters, Marion Kramper and Michele Yeager; a grandson, Dean Kramper; two sisters, Leona Eilering and Mary Ann Thoele; four brothers, Norbert, Cletus, Alfred, and Steven Fuehne; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Mary Fuehne, Vincent Eilering, Alvin Thoele, Rich Spihlmann, Maurice Tonnies, Frances Tonnies, Claire Bernreuter, and Ruth Clark; and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Frank & Bina Tonnies. Mrs. Tonnies was a homemaker and operated Tonnies Store in Albers with her husband. She was a member of St. Bernard Parish and Altar Sodality. Estelle was a very proud, loving, and caring mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was famous for her cookies; especially her oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, and she loved quilting. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 28, 2014 at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Albers with Msgr. William Hitpas officiating. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday, February 27, 2014 and from 8 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 28, 2014 at Hempen Funeral Home in New Baden. Memorials may be made to Breese Caring First Nursing Home Activity Fund or Clin-Clair Fire Department and will be received at the funeral home.