Mary Agnes Buscher Kuettel, 101, entered the Kingdom of Heaven on September 28, 2023, at the Villas in Sherman, IL. She was born on August 4, 1922, to John Charles and Josephine (Holzweig) Buscher in Venice, IL. Her mother died a few weeks after Mary’s birth. Her father married Marie (Pitcher) Buscher five years later and Mary became a big sister to seven brothers and one sister.
She graduated from St. Bernard Grade School and Ursuline Academy and began a career as a beautician in Springfield, IL and later in St. Louis, MO. Mary married Carl Joseph Kuettel on May 27, 1967. He preceded her in death on October 28, 1967, five months after their wedding. Mary then commuted between Springfield and St. Louis, caring for both her father and her Uncle John Holzweig.
Mary was a member of St. Katharine Drexel Parish, the Altar and Rosary Society, Catholic Daughters of America, Toastmasters, and the Brinkerhoff Home Auxiliary. She was past president of St. Louise de Marillac Guild, the Sangamon County Association for Home and Community Education, and the Catholic Daughters of America International Training in Communication. She was also a Samaritan at St. John’s Hospital, where she delivered Holy Communion. In August of 1992, Mary and Sister Fran Winkler started the St. Martin de Porres Food Pantry, where she served those in need for ten years.
She was an avid reader and enjoyed travelling with friends and family, and participating in college courses, such as English and Philosophy.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and three brothers, Reverend Gerald Buscher, O.S.B., James “Slug” Buscher, and Richard “Butch” Buscher. She is survived by one sister, Rita (Doug) Weeks of Spartanburg, SC; and four brothers, Charles of Springfield, John (Lucille) of Normal, Alfred “Mick” (Patricia) of Vandalia, and Clifford (Karen) of Chatham. She is also survived by many (112) nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews.
Visitation and Funeral Mass: The family will receive friends from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at St. Katharine Drexel Parish at St. Patrick’s Church, 1720 S. Grand Ave., Springfield. A funeral mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Paul Lesupati, celebrant.
Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to: St. Martin De Porres
The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home – Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.
