Laura Ann Hamtil Klages passed away on April 25, 2025. Laura is preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Sylvia, her brother Dr Lawrence Hamtil, brother-in-law John “Bob” Tripi, and son Lawrence Edward Klages. She is survived by her children Karyn Klages, David (Tracy) Klages, Nancy (Jeff) Roberts, and Tricia (Mark) Grebel and seven adored grandchildren, including Olivia and Gavin Klages, Tommy and Kate Roberts, and Dominic, Alice and Nate Grebel.
Laura was born to Lawrence and Sylvia Hamtil, the fourth of six children. Following her education at St. Michael the Archangel and Nerinx Hall, she proceeded to DuPaul School of Nursing where she received her Registered Nursing License and Webster University for a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.
Laura was driven by giving service to her family and her patients at work. With devotion, she cared for her parents and elder aunts and uncles. Rarely could she attend a community function without at least one person approaching, thanking her for the excellent nursing care she had provided to a family member in the past. She treated her patients as individuals, and it was very important to her to call people by name. She had an uncanny ability to recall names and when she would see previous patients or family members even years after caring for them, she would greet them by name and with a smile.
Laura loved to laugh, and she regularly told her children and grandchildren the latest jokes that she had heard. She also greatly enjoyed playing board and card games, and some of her favorite times were playing Mahjong, Gin Rummy, or Rummikub with family or friends. Laura loved her children, but no one could light up Laura as much as her grandchildren, who lovingly called her “Maga.” She greatly enjoyed hearing about their school, their friends, and all of their activities. Similar to her patients, Laura treated each of her grandchildren as individuals with unique interests and she would focus on each one of them to understand what was going on in their lives.
Laura’s family give thanks to her siblings for their regular contact, particularly in recent years, including Peggy Hamtil, Jovita Tripi, Carolyn (Paul) Janka, Marianne Hamtil, and Gerry (Paul) Scherer. Additional thanks are to the many prayerful and service-minded friends at Mary Mother of the Church for their friendship and support over the years.
Services: Visitation 9:00 am until the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am on Friday, May 9, 2025 at Mary Mother of the Church, 5901 Kerth Road, 63128.
In lieu of flowers, donations to your preferred charity are appreciated.
Our prayer will continue for Our Dear Sweet Auntie Laura. May God guide you in her absence and may she continue to be your guiding light. Our Prayers