Loretta Buren

Loretta (Wardein) Van Buren, 98, passed away on Feb. 2, 2019 at United Methodist Village in Godfrey, IL, surrounded by family and care givers.

Loretta was born Jan. 26, 1921, in Alton, IL, to Lawrence and Dora (Schmieder) Wardein. She attended St. Mary's Catholic School and graduated from Marquette Catholic High School in 1938. On Aug. 23, 1939, she married Paul Van Buren and they were blessed with 10 children. He preceded her in death on Dec. 24, 1976.

Loretta volunteered countless hours when her children attended St. Patrick's Catholic School. After the death of her husband Paul, she pursued a career in health care and worked at St. Joseph's Hospital as a Unit Clerk until her retirement. She loved to travel, golf and, more recently, play Bridge - where she made many new friends who enriched her life in her later years.

Loretta is survived by 8 of her 10 children - Robert (Jan) Van Buren, Kenneth Van Buren, Paul "Rick" (Debbie) Van Buren, Barbara (John) Hatch, Martha (John) Yost, Patricia (Richard) Wootton, Buffy (Steven) Schnurbusch and Laura (Peter) Nessler; and sister, Charlotte Enterline.

She was preceded in death by two children, Mary Katherine "Kaye" (Richard) Fitzgerald and John Lawrence "Larry" (Claudia) Van Buren; parents, Lawrence and Dora Wardein; sisters, Dorothy (Albert) Huggins and Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Brown; and brother, John "Jack" Wardein.

Loretta was blessed with and survived by many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren: Julie Van Buren; Robert Lee (Jessica) Van Buren, Lucas and Leah; Jennifer (Michael Buckelew) Van Buren; Richard (Jeri) Fitzgerald; James (Ardith) Fitzgerald and Lennon; Robert Fitzgerald; Callie Shaver, Corey Shaver and Heather (Blake) Crump, Brodyn and Kinsley; Colleen (Ron) Strubberg, Claire and Lincoln; Sarah (Daniel Malacarne) Van Buren, Paul and Zoey Malacarne; Melanie Gilson, Ayden and Dylan; Paul (Stephanie) Van Buren; Joshua (Janelle) Hatch; Adam Hatch; Meredith (Steve) Rea, Nolan, Catherine, Caroline, Jack, Annie and Sam; Daniel, David and Thomas Wootton; Amy Schnurbusch; Ellen (Paul) Koss; Emily (Kody) Nessler-Hyland; Greg (Brekka) Nessler and Lucy Jo; and many special nieces and nephews and their families.

Visitation will be from 10-11AM on Thursday, Feb. 7, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Godfrey, IL, followed by a funeral Mass at 11AM. Burial will be private at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Alton. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Marquette Catholic High School, Alton, and St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Godfrey.

Loretta wanted to thank everyone for a wonderful life - and especially, Martha, for taking such good care of her.

Obit Provided By:
Gent Funeral Home