Margaret M. Louer, age 93 of Highland, IL, died Saturday, September 04, 2021, at Highland Health Care Center in Highland, IL.
She was born May 10, 1928, at Valmeyer, Illinois, the daughter of Raymond and Selma (nee Pape) Rippelmeyer. She was baptized, confirmed, and married in the United Church of Christ, Valmeyer, IL. She graduated from Valmeyer High School in 1946. She started teaching in September 1946 in a one-room schoolhouse in Boxtown, Illinois with all eight grades and 14 students. While teaching, she attended night school and summer school.
On Saturday, August 14, 1948, she married Herman H. Louer, Jr., and he survives. She continued teaching in a one-room school, Schallom School, near Valmeyer, Illinois. In 1954, they and their two children moved to St. Ann, Missouri where she attended Harris Teacher College to work on her teaching degree. She also worked nights as a waitress at Howard Johnson’s restaurant in St. Ann and worked for Monsanto Corp. as a secretary.
In 1962, she and Herman bought a farm between Pierron, IL and Highland, and she attended Greenville College to complete her Bachelor’s Degree. She taught at Pocahontas, IL, eight grades with 42 students for two years. She then taught math at Highland, Jr. High School from 1964-1980. She received her Master’s Degree from SIUE and became Principal for K-3 at Highland Primary in 1980. She retired in 1985.
She was also a farm wife and very active in helping with planting, caring for the animals, gardening, canning, sewing, and mending. Their large family would join together for fishing at Montauk State Park for fishing time “Home” in Missouri.
Most of all Maggie loved and enjoyed her five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She and Herman spent many miles on the road traveling to see the grandchildren and taking them on trips to visit one another. They regularly spent time in Wisconsin with their daughter and her family on fishing trips. She and Herman traveled a lot, spending time in Florida and Texas, making fishing trips to Alaska (five times), and several trips to Europe.
They moved from the farm in 1989 to a house on Dunlap Lake in Edwardsville, across the lake from their son and his family, and were an important part of taking care of their grandsons Nathan and Craig, Jr. In 2003, they moved to Faith Countryside Condos, Highland. In 2014, due to health reasons, they moved to assisted living at Cedarhurst, Highland.
Maggie was an excellent cook, liked to bake pies for family and friends, and enjoyed cooking for large family dinners. She taught Sunday School and Bible School classes when her children were young. She will be remembered for her many contributions and involvement with the Highland community. She was always happy with a big smile and big heart.
Survivors include: Husband – Herman H. Louer, Jr., Highland, IL; Son – Craig R. (Jane) Louer, Edwardsville, IL; Daughter – Connie D. (James R.) Abert, Saint Louis, MO; Grandchild – LTC Megan J. Keuss, USA Retired (Husband-LTC Christ Keuss, USA), Saint Louis, MO; Grandchild – Aaron J. (Becky) Abert, Spring Lake, MI; Grandchild – Morgan C. (Adam) Peters, Saint Louis, MO; Grandchild – Nathan S. (Erin) Louer, Atlanta, GA; Grandchild – Dr. Craig R. (Ericka) Louer, Jr., Nashville, TN; Great Grandchild – Alex R. Keuss, Saint Louis, MO; Great Grandchild – Charlotte A. Keuss, Saint Louis, MO; Great Grandchild – Matthew J. Keuss, St. Louis, MO; Great Grandchild – Caroline Jane Louer, Atlanta, GA; Great Grandchild – Harrison Patrick Louer, Atlanta, GA; Great Grandchild – Lena Margaret Louer, Nashville, TN; Great Grandchild – Max Harmon Louer, Nashville, TN; Brother – Raymond F. “Bud” Rippelmeyer, Jr., Waterloo, IL; Sister In-Law – Doris Rippelmeyer, Waterloo, IL; Nieces and Nephews – Many; Special Nephew – Homer H. (Sharon) Rusteberg, Highland, IL.
She was preceded in death by: Father – Raymond F. Rippelmeyer – Died 5/28/1977; Mother – Selma C. Rippelmeyer (nee Pape) – Died 2/6/1983; Brother – Russell A. Rippelmeyer – Died 8/01/2000; Brother – Robert W. Rippelmeyer – Died 1/9/2016; Sister-In-Law – Glenda F. Rippelmeyer – Died 1/16/2015; Sister-In-Law – Helen L. Rippelmeyer – Died 12/31/1999.
Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, September 09, 2021, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL, and from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Friday, September 10, 2021, at St. John United Church of Christ in Valmeyer, IL.
Funeral Service will be at 12:00 PM on Friday, September 10, 2021, at St. John United Church of Christ in Valmeyer, IL, with Rev. Steven J. Boorsma, Pastor, officiating.
Interment will be at St. John’s Cemetery in Valmeyer, IL.
Memorial contributions may be made to Evangelical United Church of Christ, Highland, IL; Shriners Hospitals for Children; or St. Johns United Church of Christ, Valmeyer, IL.
