Wreath at cemetery remembers loved ones

A wreath was hung at Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Cape Girardeau Tuesday in honor of loved ones who can't be physically present around the Christmas tree.

"We hang the wreath because Christmas is a time for remembering both our natural families and our church families, and we have a lot of people here who were in our parish family, but are no longer with us," said Judy Stricker, president of the Council of Catholic Women (CCW) at St. Mary's Cathedral in downtown Cape Girardeau.

The tradition of hanging a wreath at St. Mary's cemetery along Perry Avenue began during the 1990s when Betty Kuss of Lorberg Funeral Chapel was president of St. Mary's CCW. The wreath is sponsored by both St. Mary's CCW and the CCW of St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church, also in Cape Girardeau. Both churches use the cemetery.

Church tradition

Lorberg Funeral Chapel provides the wreath. Owner Bill Kuss hangs the fresh greenery and red ribbon each year just after Thanksgiving.

"For one thing, it's a way for these churches to come together to express their remembrances for those who have gone before," said Ruth George, president of St. Vincent's CCW. "And for people driving down Perry Avenue who see the beautiful wreath, it gives them pause."

For Betty Kuss, the wreath not only recognizes loved ones who have died, but offers comfort to those who visit the cemetery. It lets them know that someone else also cares, she believes.

The Kusses and Stricker both have family members buried at St. Mary's cemetery.

"This is a time for decorations and Christmas, buying gifts and all that," Stricker said. "Those that are gone don't need gifts any more, but they still need to be remembered."

jgosche@semissourian.com

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