Ethel Grumke McLuen

She is survived by;

• Her son Kenneth McLuen,

• Daughter Stephanie (McLuen) Miserocchi,

• Son in-law Michael Miserocchi,

• Granddaughters Elise, Grace, and Amanda,

• Sister in-Laws Dru McLuen and MaryAnne Richey

• And many nieces/nephews and grandnieces/nephews.

Ethel (Grumke) McLuen was born November 8th, 1925, in Augusta MO. She was the only daughter of Edgar and Olive (Molz) Grumke. She had 3 brothers, Ralph, Jack and Linn Grumke. Her father was a son of German immigrants who settled in Augusta in the 1850’s and her mother was daughter of English and German immigrants who settled in Wildwood MO. Her parents ran a restaurant in Augusta until Prohibition and then they settled in Overland MO. Ethel’s father was an excellent plasterer/craftsman and her mother was a master gardener. Ethel had a lifelong love of gardening, sewing and most of all being with family. She kept up with all her extended family into her 90’s.

Ethel developed a hearing impairment after contracting measles and learned to lip read until she could get hearing aids later in life. She attended Washington University Fashion Design School at night and learned to design and sew her own clothes as well those for her daughter and granddaughter’s. She began work as a secretary at Wagner Electric (St. Louis) where she met her future husband Robert (Bob) McLuen.

They were married in April 1953. Ethel moved with Bob to Jersey City NJ and worked as a secretary in NYC. They were involved in their church and enjoyed a young married fellowship group. Bob and Ethel loved going to Manhattan to take in a Broadway show.

Their first son Kenneth arrived in 1955 and was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. This was the impetus for a lifelong commitment to providing support and assistance for the disabled. Stephanie was born and years later the family moved frequently due to Bob’s job requirements.

First came a move from Syracuse, NY to Fanwood, NJ with the family finally settling in St Louis, MO in 1967. Ethel was happy to be back her hometown with family nearby.

Ethel was a dedicated and loving mother. She volunteered as a nurse assistant at the elementary school, taught sewing to migrant workers’ children, and spent time helping her son to be educated and included in society. She taught Sunday School for many years. She worked as a teacher’s assistant and then secretary at Good Shepard School for Children for over 25 years. There is a plaque to this day honoring Ethel’s dedication and sacrifice at Good Shepard School. Never one to sit still, in her 80’s she worked as a secretary at Howard Park Preschool and Therapy Center. She finally retired at age 87!!!

In 1976, Bob, Ethel and a group of other parents, started a workplace for disabled adults that continues today. Establishing Lafayette Industries became a lifelong passion for Ethel as she served on its board for many years. She promoted and helped with many of their fundraising events. She was a tireless worker at establishing relationships with donors and making sure they witnessed the impact their donations had on helping disabled adults find meaningful work. Her commitment to disabled adults that could not function in a regular workplace helped to create a place where disabled adults could work at their own pace and bolster their self-esteem by earning a paycheck.

Her most treasured role was as “Nana” to his 3 granddaughters. She never forgave us for moving to Tennessee. In fact, when Mike told her he was taking an out of state job her response was “You can move”, but not my grandchildren”. She passed on her many hobbies and interests to her family. During the years when Stephanie and her husband Mike both worked, she would have dinner waiting for us as we picked up the girls. Her eldest granddaughter Elise is disabled, and she would always make sure Elise had special “Nana” time when she visited. Her other 2 granddaughters Grace and Amanda learned a love for gardening, baking and family history.

Ethel was committed to keeping connected to her extended family. She regularly saw her brothers and families and loved the occasional Apple butter cooking events that were a tradition with the Grumke family. She also loved staying connected to Bob’s family as well and made it a priority to stay in touch via regularly phone calls and visits to Iowa. She was a wonderful letter writer and sent cards to her many family members and friends.

We would ask you to share your memories, sayings, or comments to [email protected] so we can put together a tribute book to share. Or share on this website. She will be greatly missed.

Services:

• Funeral service at St. Mark Presbyterian Church, 601 Claymont Drive, Ballwin, Sunday May 18th 2pm .

• Interment Augusta City Cemetery, 4 p.m.

• In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Lafayette Industries.