Augusta S. Cress (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Augusta Sophia “Gussie” Cress, daughter of Joseph and Bernadine Dill Poettgen, was born January 12, 1917, in Freeburg, Missouri. She departed this life Friday, February 3, 2012, in Villa St. Francis in Olathe, Kansas, at the age of ninety-five years, and twenty-one days.
On September 26, 1940, she was united in marriage to William Cress, of Prior Lake, Minnesota, in the Holy Family Catholic Church in Freeburg, Missouri. To this union two daughters were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bill, in 1990; four brothers; and five sisters.
Gussie is survived by two daughters, Carolyn Pate, and her husband, Richard, of Lenexa, Kansas, and Barbara Buschmann, and her husband, Bruce, of Mobile, Alabama; eleven grandchildren; twenty-five great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was born and raised in the Freeburg community, and attended Freeburg School. Once she and Bill were married, they made their home in the Lebanon area, and lovingly raised their daughters. In addition to being a devoted homemaker to her husband and family, Gussie also worked for the W.P.A. in Rolla, Farmington, and Lebanon for several years. After making her home in Lebanon for almost seventy years, Gussie moved to a retirement community in Overland Park, Kansas in 2006.
Gussie was an active member of St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church for many years, and belonged to the Altar and Rosary Society. After moving to Overland Park, Kansas, she attended Queen of Holy Rosary Catholic Church.
She had volunteered as a Pink Lady at Louise G. Wallace Hospital and had served as a Brownie leader. She liked sewing and was a member of a neighborhood sewing group. In her spare time she enjoyed bowling, knitting, embroidery, ceramics, and had a talent for canning her “famous dill pickles” for friends and family. She liked helping Bill with his Gladiola garden, which provided many beautiful bouquets for the church altar. They both enjoyed many fishing trips to the Lake of the Ozarks.
Gussie was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and know that her family and friends will cherish the wonderful memories she created for them throughout the years.
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