Mary M. Klutinis

Mary M. Klutinis, age 96, of St. Louis, Missouri passed away on Sunday, September 18, 2022. Mary was born December 18, 1925. Beloved daughter of the late Justin and Ursula Klutinis (nee Andrunis). Dearest sister of the late Walter (Bunny) Klutinis, Stanley (Josephine) Klutinis, John Klutinis, Casimir (Elsie) Klutinis and Teresa (Gerard) Hemkens. Cherished aunt of John (Carol) Hemkens, Larry Hemkens, Mary (Bill) Wamser, Ed (Chelle) Hemkens, Donna (Keith) Hinegardner, Wayne Klutinis, Becky (Michael) Berry, Pam Cole and the late Gregory Hemkens, Gary Klutinis, Barb (survived by Jerry) Klutinis Steiner and David Klutinis. Dear great aunt of Christina Schneider, Justin Hemkens, Allison Wamser, Julia Wamser, Paxton Hemkens, Paige Sabin, Zoe Brenizer, Amber Brenizer, Dakota Brenizer, Chris (Elizabeth) Klutinis, Kimberly (Brett) Kettler, Daniel Steiner, Matt (Hannah) Steiner, Clayton Klutinis, Emily Goldstein, Jennifer Klutinis, Tamlin (Ian) Chamberlain, Timothy Klutinis and the late Joseph Klutinis . Dear great great aunt of Brady Schneider, Leila Storey, Oliver Klutinis, Desmond Klutinis, Tristin Klutinis, Scout Klutinis, Lilly Kettler, Hazel Steiner, Leo Steiner, Anthony Klutinis, Madison Klutinis and Nicky Klutinis. Our dear great aunt and great great aunt of many who love her and will miss her.

She became known as Great Mary when the first great niece was born. But she was always great. Mary remained single, and lived a full and busy life with friends and family. She first worked in her family business, a store and tavern. But she found her calling as an International Sales Reservationist for TWA. She sold trips, and knew what she was talking about as she traveled the world herself. A long weekend to Spain to buy a Lladro? Yes! She went with friends and family to exotic places, but equally enjoyed her time with friends at Lake of the Ozarks. They boated all day on a pontoon, and ate ice cream, drank wine, and watched “Golden Girls” in the evening.

After retirement, Mary volunteered at the gift shop at SLU Hospital. She arranged flowers, put up the stock, went on buying trips to Vegas and everyone in the hospital knew “our Aunt Mary”. Her retirement age from SLU? 88!!

Mary lived in a condo with a pool that made her very popular with all her nieces and nephews. She loved entertaining the family and caring for the kids. At every family birthday and holiday, she was the last to eat and the first to wash dishes. Mary welcomed everyone into her home, and made you feel relaxed. She had an open mind and caring heart for all.

From Allison Wamser. When I was little, probably about 8, I begged Mary to let me have a cup of coffee. She poured me a cup with a smirk on her face and said “you’re not gonna like it.” She was right. It was terrible. But she was adamant that since I made her pour a cup, I had to finish it. We got out the milk and sugar and turned it into the sweetest thing ever, because in her words, “we’re not wasting perfectly good coffee”.

From Christina Schneider. My Great Mary was my third Grandma. I have so many memories of her when I was a kid. We spent the night and stayed up late to watch Carol Burnett and Johnny Carson. And oh, the pool! So many hours swimming there!

I got to volunteer at the SLUH gift shop with her and made a lot of friends there, even though I was just a kid. I was Great Mary’s niece! I’m so lucky that I got to buy her condo. I will always have wonderful memories every time I walk in. May you rest in peace Great Mary. You are very special to me.

From Paxton Hemkens. 96 amazing years of sass! You were blunt, you were open, you had an attachment to the color white that would make HGTV shudder. You are missed by many, but you certainly made your mark in the way you cared for so many. And don’t forget our all white birthday surprise party!

A visitation for Mary will be held Friday, September 23, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Hoffmeister South County Chapel, 1515 Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis, MO 63125. A funeral service will occur Saturday, September 24, 2022 at 10:00 AM. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Special Olympics of Missouri or Alzheimer's Association. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HoffmeisterSouthCounty.com for the Klutinis family.