Mary Santen

Mary Santen, nee Rodriguez, age 91, of Fairmont City, IL born March 5, 1927, and died on Tuesday, December 18, 2018, at Rosewood Care Center, Edwardsville, IL.

Mary was a member of Fairmont City Baptist Church for most of her life. Becoming homebound and being unable to go to church was a source of deep sorrow. She loved her church family and Pastor Mark Howell, and singing her favorite hymns. Mary was an avid player of the spoons, the comb, and harmonicas, and she loved to yodel while JimBoy whistled. Prior to WWII, she worked as a seamstress at WPA in St. Louis. After the war her sewing served her well, making award-winning Halloween costumes, as well as kids and doll clothes.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 60 years and love of her life, James “JimBoy” Santen; her beloved son, Jimmy Santen; her parents, Francisco and Amanda, nee Valdez, Rodriguez both originally from Asturias, Spain and both of whom died young in car accidents; her brothers, Frankie Rodriguez, Angel Rodriguez and Bellarmino Rodriguez; her sisters, Blanche Harris, Rose Miller; a sister-in-law, Emmabelle Rodriguez; her dear brothers-in-law, John (Ray) Harris, David Hagen, Elmer (Jonnie) Santen, Lester (Ann) Santen, Robert (Mary Ellen) Santen; and her dearest mother and father-in-law, Anna, nee Blane and Louis Santen.

She is survived by her daughter and caregiver, Barbara Higgins; her adored and only grandson, Robert “Bobby” (Lisa) Kirchoff of Granite City, IL; her brother, Joe “Babe” Rodriguez of Fairmont City, IL; her sisters, Delores (Tom) LoGrasso of St. Louis, MO, Alicia Reynolds of OH; dear sisters-in-law, Darlene Hagen of Texas and Jeannette (Larry) Vardiman of ID; and many dear nieces and nephews. Mary will be dearly missed by all.

Memorials may be made to the Fairmont Baptist Church.

Per Mary's wishes, she was laid to rest with Jim Santen on Jan. 8, 2019, at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, with military honors.

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