Sally A. Wheat

Beloved wife of Louis Wheat for 61 cherished years. Devoted mother of Brian D. Wheat, Laura Ann Wheat (Joelene), and Alan A. Wheat (Mary). Treasured grandmother of Daniel Yancey and Lydia Patricia Wheat (Matt). Adored great-grandmother of Elliott Wheat, Millicent Gambill, and Bennett Gambill. Dear sister to Richard Prag (Pat) and Diane Andersen (Dave); dear aunt, sister-in-law, cousin and friend.

Born in St. Louis where she spent all her 82 years. The only exception was the few months spent in Massachusetts as a baby when her father was in the Army Air Force. She attended Catholic grade school at Immaculate Conception in Maplewood, Southwest High School and a short stint at Meramec Valley Community College studying design and drafting.

She met her husband Louis while working at a Kroger Food Store in Maplewood. He was smitten by her beautiful brown eyes, beguiling figure and very lovely brunette hair. It was literally love at first sight (at least on his part.) They married after an 18-month courtship during which she led him on a merry chase before she agreed to marry him. They were married on September 7th, 1963.

The marriage soon resulted in 3 children, 2 boys and 1 girl in 7 years. She was an exemplary mother, wife and homemaker and developed her design concepts in their first home in north St. Louis County for 7 years and then the home they settled into for the next 52 years.

She continued her design interests, started a small business in 1986, got involved with a women’s self-help group called “Women in Transition” where she became President for several years. She found great personal growth while attending The Ethical Society, a humanistic non-deity religion.

She continued to develop her interpersonal and co-counseling skills and benefitted many of her friends and acquaintances.

In 1998, she was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm requiring 11 hours of surgery. She recovered with some moderate effects to her left side and some cognitive problems around mathematics. Conversely, she became even more capable in solving conceptual problems.

She and Lou traveled several times with Lou on his business trips, including California (she loved Big Sur), to New York City, Kentucky, Arizona, Washington DC and Michigan. In 2005, they took a 7-day Alaska cruise with side trips on helicopters, small plains and railroads. She spoke about that trip frequently in the years since. She made at least 3 trips to Puerto Rico to a healthy eating clinic, once with Lou.

Beginning in 2004, she became an associate of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and later an Affiliate of the Brothers of Mary. She was very active in both and thoroughly loved being connected to both.

In recent years, her health has steadily declined, leading to limited mobility and eventually keeping her bedridden. Despite her challenges, she rarely voiced complaints, focusing instead on minor discomforts. In the past few weeks, she has struggled to maintain the strength needed to recover.

She was fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

She will be missed by all and continue to be cherished by many.

A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic Church, 401 S. Lindbergh Blvd., Creve Coeur, MO 63131. A Memorial Mass will follow at 11:00 AM with a reception to follow.

Sally will be laid to rest at a private service on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Resurrection Cemetery, 6901 Mackenzie Rd., Affton, MO 63123. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made in her name to “The Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet”, St Louis Province, 6400 Minnesota, St Louis, MO 63111.