Valene Hengst

Valene Mildred Helton Hengst, 89, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Feb. 16, 2007, at the Lutheran Home.

She was born Oct. 21, 1917, in Crowder, Mo., daughter of Jasper L. and Alameda E. Apple Helton. She and Leo C "Dick" Hengst were married Jan. 13, 1940, in Egypt Mills. He died Oct. 20, 1982.

She was a graduate of Central High School. She worked at First National Bank and later at Farmers and Merchants Bank in Cape Girardeau more than 30 years.

She was a member of Hanover Lutheran Church, former member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Egypt Mills, and a charter member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church.

She is survived by a daughter, Jeannie Freeman of Cape Girardeau; a son, Richard Hengst of Cape Girardeau; six grandchildren, Donald L. Freeman, Robin M. Gaither, Jamie S. Freeman, Michelle Dawn Turner, LeAnne N. Hengst and Grant W. Hengst; five great-grandchildren, Alec Turner, Amy Gaither, Heather R. Gaither, Nick Freeman and Kenneth Freeman.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and nine brothers and sisters.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. until service time Sunday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The service will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Egypt Mills Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church at Egypt Mills.