was born in St. Louis, MO., on December 8, 1959 to Thomas and the late Jane Kniestedt. She passed away Monday, February 1, 2021. Mary loved to entertain, garden, and sew. She is remembered for her thoughtfulness, kindness and generosity of time and spirit. Mary leaves behind her husband of 38 years, John Neels; daughter Meghan Gaskins, son Ryan Neels, daughter Elizabeth Neels; granddaughter Emma Gaskins; father Thomas Kniestedt; sisters Susan Trautman and Karen Potter; brother James Kniestedt, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. She is preceded in death by her mother Jane. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Friends of Kids with Cancer, Make-A-Wish Foundation, or Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
SERVICES: Funeral Mass at St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church, 11910 Eddie and Park Rd., Friday, February 5, 1:00 PM with live streaming at stjustinmartyr.org/masses. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. A service of KUTIS AFFTON CHAPEL.
We are so deeply sorry for your loss. Mary was a very kind person. We are thinking of your family a lot.
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Mary. I will always remember her as a sweet and kind lady. She was always so gracious to make time to say hello to my mom when she was receiving chemo treatments at the facility Mary worked. My mom and dad thought the world of her. May she Rest In Peace.
John,
I am so very saddened to hear about Mary. We were classmates at StLCOP and she was always very kind. May Gods presence surround you and your family.
Pam Miles (Lockwood). ‘84
There are no words to express our sadness at the loss of Mary. Our thoughts, love and prayers are with you all.
Tom: My sincerest condolences to you and the entire family on Mary’s passing. It’s been a long time since we worked together at Sinclair but I’d be pleased to hear from you when you have the chance.
We are so sad to hear of Mary’s passing. Yor family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Marcia DeGuire and Family
Dear Sue, Jim, Karen, Mr. Kniestedt, John and families:
I saw the sad news about Mary Ellen in this morning’s Post. I am so sorry for your loss, and be assured of my prayers. May she rest in peace with Our Lord. I have not seen any of you since 1992, but I have many fond memories of you from our years at St. Blaise school. I have not forgotten you, nor will I. John, I am a De Smet Alum, too, 1979. Again, my love and prayers.
Continued thoughts and prayers for Mary, John and the Neels & Kniestedt families. Mary was a faithful wife, mother and grandmother. She will be greatly missed among our group of friends who have been together nearly 40 years.
We are guided by our faith to “love thy neighbour as thyself”. Mary exemplified this in the way she lived her life and we believe her reward in heaven will be great! Eternal rest and peace unto her.
John: we are thinking of you, Meghan, Libby, Ryan and your entire family today and in the days to come.
God Bless.
Our memories of Mary are simple, her smile when she saw you, her concern for how you were, and her always sweet disposition.
Dear Tom, Sheila, Sue, Jim, Karen, and John,
I was so sorry to hear that Mary passed away! I haven’t seen any of you in years but my brother Clinton and my mom both passed on the news! You’re in my thoughts and prayers!
Love, Challis
OHMYGOSH!! I am so very saddened by this news! My thoughts go way back to a very short teenager who had to sit on a phone book in order to see above the steering wheel. She was Karen’s big sister who we loved to pester. And yet, Mary just took it all in stride. As that little kid, I always wanted to be like her. So kind & put together!! I’m certain she was still that put-together person as an adult.
(I stumbled upon this news in my search for Karen, & was devastated.)
My heart goes out to the family that she built. Prayers always.
Love, Pam Moschner
John, I am very sorry for your loss. Mary was the sweetest person I know and a great classmate at STLCOP. I was saddened to read about her passing in The Script which also featured an article about the Theater program at the college which we were a part of. My thoughts and prayers to you and the entire family