Passed away January 11, 2021 at Laclede Groves Nursing Home in St. Louis, MO at age 95 following a brief illness caused by Covid. She was born February 4, 1925 in St. Louis to John Baptist and Eleska Engert Klug, the fifth of six children.
Therese entered the convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondolet in St. Louis in 1948 where she professed vows and assumed the name Sister Louise de Marillac. She served the congregation for 10 years and taught primary school in various parishes, including Mobile, AL.
Due to illness, she returned to her family in St. Louis where she lived with her parents and her younger sister Florence. Therese was gracious, loving and devoted to her family. She maintained close contact with her siblings and nieces and nephews and helped in the care of her parents in their later years. Florence and Therese lived together in harmony and joy throughout Therese’s life.
Therese pursued many interests, including genealogical research. The Klug and Engert threads go back to Germany and include contacts with many contemporaries from the German family branch that did not emigrate. She traced her family history from her ancestors in Germany through the immigration of her grandfather to Rochester, NY and her father’s move to St. Louis. Over the years, this research uncovered stories of how the American and German branches reached across the sea to assist each other. During World War II, her brother John served in the same city many of their relatives lived, and after the war, family bonds were renewed.
In addition to being a student of family history and maintaining a detailed family tree, Therese was also an accomplished tropical fish hobbyist, and an adventurous traveling companion to her sister Florence. Together they took eight trips to Europe and visited many places throughout the US. Therese kept careful and detailed records and assembled beautiful albums.
She was employed as a secretary and retired as administrative assistant from Stifel and Nicolaus, a brokerage and investment banking firm. For many years she was an active member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.
She is survived by her beloved sister and lifelong companion Florence Klug of St. Louis, MO and six nieces and nephews: John Klug (Bernice) of Denver, CO, Harry Klug (Joy) of Hudson, OH, Theresa Holtzclaw (Fred) of Clinton, TN, Carolyn Gengelbach Marshall (John) of Columbia, MO, Margaret Scheperle (Darrel) of Ozark, MO, and Thomas M. Ferraro of Danville, IL.
She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant brother, Patrick, her brother John Robert (Bob) Klug, and her sisters Catherine Feller and Laurel Ferraro.
Services are under the direction of Kutis Funeral Home of St. Louis, MO. Visitation is on Tuesday, January 12 from 4-5 p.m. at Kutis of Affton, 10151 Gravois. The funeral Mass will be at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, January 13 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 4092 Blow St. and interment is at Sunset Memorial Park immediately following the service. Due to Covid restrictions, masks will be worn, and social distancing observed during these events.
Memorials may be designated for Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, or the Salvation Army.
I did not know Therese. I only discovered her recently when Jack Klug discovered me on Ancestry. Therese is 1st cousin to my mother, Verna . I am only learning about this branch of the Klug family, but am finding in them a most loving, close-knit supportive group of very interesting people. It sounds like Therese was a wonderful woman and I so regret never having met her or so many of her family. I offer my deepest condolences to what I now call “our” family. Seems like you have lost a very lovely lady.
I did not know Therese. I only discovered her recently when Jack Klug discovered me on Ancestry. Therese is 1st cousin to my mother, Verna . I am only learning about this branch of the Klug family, but am finding in them a most loving, close-knit supportive group of very interesting people. It sounds like Therese was a wonderful woman and I so regret never having met her or so many of her family. I offer my deepest condolences to what I now call “our” family. Seems like you have lost a very lovely lady.