Willene Bergkoetter

Willene Leona “Willie” Bergkoetter, 73, of South Roxana, Illinois, passed away at 6:20 a.m. on Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at Delmar Gardens South in St. Louis, Missouri.

She was born April 8, 1945 in Granite City, Illinois, the daughter of the late Boleslaw “Bill” and Michalena “Lena” (Pierjok) Lupa.  She married Eugene “Gene” Bergkoetter on November 15, 1986 at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Granite City and he passed away on October 23, 2016.  She retired in 2011 from Shirl K Floral Designs in Granite City after 25 years of her dedicated flair as a florist.  She was a talented artist with floral design and assisted families through many occasions throughout her lifetime.  She was a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church and enjoyed attending and teaching water aerobics at the YMCA in Edwardsville.  She loved the outdoors and enjoyed her days of fishing and sewing.  She cherished her grandchildren and was super engaging and never knew a stranger.  She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Justin and Katie Hamilton of St. Louis; two grandchildren, Hattie and Beau Hamilton of St. Louis; many beloved members of the Bergkoetter, Pierjok and Hamilton families and a host of cherished friends.

In celebration of her life, visitation will be held at Irwin Chapel, 3960 Maryville Road in Granite City on Friday, December 21, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. until 8 p.m. where funeral services will be on Saturday, December 22, 2018 at 10 a.m.

Memorials may be made to Dream Home Charities in Wood River or to Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville and may be accepted at the funeral home www.irwinchapel.com.