Betty June Vogelsang (Mehner), aged 94, passed away on July 12, 2024, in Festus, Missouri. Born on March 13, 1930, in St. Louis, Missouri, Betty dedicated her life to her family, to the field of nursing and the care of others.
Betty embarked on her nursing career after graduating from St. Louis City Hospital School of Nursing. While raising her two children, she earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri St. Louis and her master’s degree from Webster University. Throughout her career, Betty worked in various capacities, including pediatrics at St. Joseph Hospital and the emergency room at Jefferson Memorial Hospital. She also served as a school nurse within Hancock Place School District and Windsor School District, and continued working as a substitute nurse at Windsor after her retirement. Betty was deeply involved in her community as a parish nurse at Trinity Lutheran Church in the Soulard neighborhood in St. Louis and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Otto, MO. Her passion for teaching led her to educate future nurses at St. Louis City Hospital, Lutheran Hospital, and the Jefferson College LPN program.
Betty was a devoted member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Otto, MO, where she practiced her faith and served her community. Her commitment to service extended beyond her professional life, as she held leadership roles in the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, and Civil Air Patrol.
Betty and her husband Gerald were avid RV enthusiasts spending 15 years as camp hosts during the summer months at Trail of Tears State Park in Jackson, MO. Betty was also trained as an interpreter to tell the story and history of the Trail of Tears at the park visitor’s center.
She is survived by her children, Steve Vogelsang (Linda Koester-Vogelsang) and Gayle Vogelsang; grandchildren, Carri Kemper, Ethan, Luke, Kyle (Sarah), and Sydney Vogelsang; great grandchildren, Xavier and Annie; and her brothers Jack Mehner and Mark Mehner (Debbie). Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Gerald Vogelsang on May 9, 2023 and her infant son, Richard “Ricky” Vogelsang; her brother, Lee Mehner; and sister, Patricia Kaisner (Mehner); and both parents Albert & Matilda.
Visitation will be held on July 26, 2024, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at Kutis Funeral Home South County Chapel, located at 5255 Lemay Ferry Rd, St. Louis, MO 63129. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 am with the burial at St. Trinity Cemetery in Lemay, MO.
In remembrance of Betty’s love for animals, she requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to local animal shelters or animal rescue organizations.
Mrs Vogelsang was an instructor of mine at Lutheran Medical Center(84-87). She would always select me to go with her to various recruitment appearances she organized. It was a great honor to be selected by her. What I most remember most-her boundless energy and always cheerful demeanor and smile. God bless you, rest now, Mrs V
Looks like Betty lived a full life of serving and caring. She was a wonderful instructor at LMC 1982-1985. Peace to her and thoughts with family.
Aunt Betty was an amazing woman. She was a wonderful female role model, and in many ways ahead of her time. Her love of people and her genuine concern for their welfare made a big impression on me. She never tired of learning and serving others. She encouraged me to become the doctor I am today.