Celestine A. Stegeman, age 88, of Jefferson City formerly of Meta, passed away on Friday, June 9, 2017, at her home. She was born in St. Thomas on April 19, 1929, daughter of the late Vincent and Catherine (Schulte) Loethen. On September 3, 1951, in St. Thomas, Celestine married Louis G. Stegeman, Jr., who preceded her in death on May 24, 1995.

In 1947, Celestine graduated from Meta High School as class Valedictorian. She taught at Meta as the first kindergarten teacher and later worked for the Department of Revenue and served as the Meta City Clerk for many years. Celestine was a member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Meta. Celestine spent her entire life giving and caring for others.

She is survived by one daughter, Sandra K. Farmer (Bud) of Jefferson City; two sons, Dr. Dale M. Stegeman (Kay) of St. Louis and Tom Stegeman (Judy) of Westphalia; 8 grandchildren, Lindsey (Stegeman) Thomas, Tyler Stegeman, Kelly Stegeman, Jamie Farmer, Elliott Farmer III, Dr. Leslie (Farmer) Shock, Erin (Stegeman) Marrero, and Katie Stegeman; one great-grandchild, Rylee Thomas with another great-grandchild, Olivia Stegeman, due any day; and two sisters, Rosella Reinkemeyer and Joan Poettgen.

She was also preceded in death by one sister, Viola Volmert, one brother, Delmer Loethen, four brothers-in-law, Jim Reinkemeyer, Jim Poettgen, Leander Volmert, and Toby Wieberg; and one sister-in-law, Dolores Wieberg.

Visitation will be held from 12 to 2 p.m., with Mass of Christian Burial immediately following at 2 p.m., on Sunday, June 11, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Meta with Fr. Jeremy Secrist officiating. Interment will be in St. Cecilia Cemetery in Meta.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the St. Cecilia Cemetery or the Carmelite Monastery of Jefferson City.