Footsie Holem

   Footsie Holem, age 96, of Stover passed away Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at the Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City.
   It was on the 13th day of November in 1927, when Joseph Obie and Mary Jewell (Moran) LaBarge welcomed their daughter, Agnes Lurleen, into their home in St. Charles, Missouri.
   She attended Borromeo Catholic School.
   On October 29, 1945, Footsie was united in marriage to Johnnie Holem in Boonville.
   Footsie was a hard worker. Early in her life she worked for the Defense Plant in St. Louis and the Shoe Factory in St. Charles. Later in her life she helped Johnnie with his business.
   Caring for people came naturally to Footsie. She enjoyed taking care of her family, but that care also extended to everyone she met. She would sew bibs and lap pads for the veteran homes and nursing homes. She wore out three sewing machines.
   Footsie was very active in the Red Hats, the Buffalo Creek Citizen's Patrol, and the Can Doers. She attended painting and craft classes. She loved to paint, hand quilt, crochet, and she was a member of the Millstone Wheelers Square Dancing where she would make her and Johnnie's outfits. She always made sure his shirt matched her skirt.
   Her true joy came from being a partner to Johnnie, raising her children, and loving on her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and anyone else she thought of as family.
   She was a faithful member of the St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church in Versailles.
   Left to carry on Footsie's legacy is her loving husband, Johnnie Holem of Stover; three sons and daughters-in-law, Richard and Judy Holem of Otterville, Johnnie Jr. and Sandy Holem of Stover, and Robert and Cindy Holem of Sedalia; eight grandchildren, Michelle (Bobby) Tavenner, Matthew (Stephanie) Holem, Mickaela (Clint) Howell, Jeffery (Mendy) Holem, Stephanie (Scott) Campbell, Robert W. (Kara) Holem, Obie W. (Lori) Holem, and Chris (Elizabeth) Holem; sixteen great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; her sister, Patricia (Ed) Connor of Troy; her two four-legged babies, Tippie and Pepper; along with other relatives and friends.
   In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Dona Holem; daughter-in-law, Laurel Holem; and a great grandson, Lane Holem.
   Funeral Mass will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 29, 2024 at the St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church in Versailles with Father John Schmitz officiating. Burial will be in the St. Patrick's Cemetery in Laurie.
   A rosary will be at 9:00 a.m. Monday with the visitation following at 9:15 a.m. until the time of the mass on Monday at the church.
   Memorial donations are suggested to the St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church or the Stover Animal Rescue.