Nettie Surface

LEOPOLD, Mo. — Nettie Inez Surface, 79 of Leopold went to her heavenly rest Friday, Dec. 10, 2021, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

She was born May 10, 1942, in Leopold, daughter of Robert W. and Clara L. DeBrock Jansen. She and Marvin Surface were united in marriage Feb. 15, 1992.

Our mom, aka Grandma Nettie, was one of a kind. A lady who loved feeding people and making them feel right at home at her wooden kitchen table. She always had a meal prepared, and if she didn't have something on the stove, she'd be happy to whip something up real quick. It didn't matter if you were family or not, she'd say "Come on in" as soon as your feet hit the doorstep. Or, "Hang on, let me go grab you some cookies". Mom/Grandma Nettie loved her kids and grandkids more than anything. She never had many fancy worldly possessions, but that didn't matter to her. She was content enjoying the presence of her family. Her favorite thing was a house full of loved ones celebrating the holidays. She always needed to be told to sit down, was always telling you to go eat some more, and made sure she made everyone's favorite desserts. No one left her house hungry. Even on her last day on this earth, with just a few gathered around her bedside, she asked, "Are you guys hungry?" She had the most sincere servant's heart and will truly be missed by everyone who knew her.

Nettie worked for Hosiery Mill in Jackson, and Senior Citizens Center and Bonds Nursing Home in Marble Hill, Missouri, as a cook. She also worked in the Hat Factory as a sewer, was a member of St. John's Catholic Church in Leopold and a member of the Ladies Sodality.

Left to cherish her memory are sons, John Wayne Thele of Marble Hill, Jeffrey Scott Thele, Timothy Raymond Thele and James Irvin Thele, all of Leopold; daughter, Cynthia Ann Thele of Leopold; brother, Arnold (Mary) Jansen of Leopold; sisters, Clara Macke of Leopold, Rose Macke of Toledo, Ohio, and Sister Mary Jane Jansen; 11 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Robert Jansen; and sisters, Adeline Vandeven, Dorothy Hinkebein, Agnes Broshuis and Loretta Blattel.

Serving as pallbearers will be Noah Thele, Addyson Massa, Johny Long, Curtis Wolpers, Caleb Wolpers and Garrett Thele.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at St. John's Catholic Church in Leopold, with Knights of Columbus rosary at 7 p.m., followed by parish prayers.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the church, with Father Antony Thekkanath officiating, and homilist Father Michael Casteel. Burial will follow in the church cemetery in Leopold.

The arrangements were under the care of Liley Funeral Homes in Marble Hill.