Anna R. Droste

Dateline: Godfrey, IL Anna Regina (Boucher) Droste, 89, died at 5:05pm Saturday, March 21, 2015 at Alton Memorial Hospital with many of her large family by her side. Anna was born May 6, 1925 in North Alton to the late Joseph and Josepha Boucher. Hers was a difficult birth, about which she said “God was there and had plans for my life. I have always felt he took special care of me.” She loved reading, helping her dad with chores, and spending time outside, especially in the fall. She hated wasting anything and, growing up during the Depression, was a master at appreciating and making full use of everything. Anna met the love of her life, Benjamin Theodore Droste, through the local farm and church community. Anna and Ben were joined in Holy Matrimony by Mgsr. James Suddes on August 16, 1945 at St. Mary’s Church in Alton. They shared 60 wonderful years together. Before Ben’s death in 2005, he and Anna wrote a book (“As I Recall”) together as a way to share their memories and experiences. It is a priceless gift of family history and memories for generations to come. Anna and Ben were blessed with 16 children and she always said her greatest treasure was her husband and her family. They are Ann Droste; Judy Boss (companion Donald Ornellas); Theresa (Bob) Dowell; Ben (Ruth) Droste; Tom Droste; Mike (Debbie) Droste; Jim (Sherry) Droste; Tony (Susan) Droste; Kathy (Karl) Doucleff; Jeanne (Mike) Rintoul; Donna (Russ) Hobson; Debbie Droste (fiancé Steve Carter); Bonnie (Vic) Welker; Tina (Andy) Mason and Jackie Droste. Their youngest son, Alan, died in 1987 at age 19. They also cared for Alan Edelen of Alton, whom they think of as another of their own children. Ben and Anna have also been blessed with 41 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren. Anna said, “We are very proud of every one of our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and see so much good in each of them.” In addition to her husband, parents and son, she was preceded in death by two grandsons (Nicholas Droste and Eric Droste) and seven siblings (Bernadine Masulla, Joseph Boucher, Louis Boucher, Bernice Sumowski, Loretta Mueller, Sister Alvina OSF, and Sister Cecilia OSF). She is survived by her younger brother Clarence Boucher. Her husband Ben said before he passed: “Anna was the girl of my dreams. Her goodness, her wholesomeness, her joyful and pleasant disposition.” Her entire family echoes this feeling. And her own words reinforce this as well: “Being blessed with a strong healthy body and a good mind, life was pretty interesting as a whole. I truly enjoyed almost everything I did, and relished the challenge.” She wrote this poem at age 14, which perfectly captures the outlook on life we all had the privilege to experience. Sunshine, by Anna Boucher (age 14) Carry a bundle of sunshine Around with you all day. Hand it out with bits of joy In all you do and say. Just a word of kindness When hearts are full of woe. Just a cheerful smile When spirits are ebbing low. You will gladden life and make it Seem nearer to Paradise, too. For what you give to others, God returns A hundredfold to you. Visitation will be from 4-8pm Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Godfrey. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30am on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at St. Ambrose. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Alton. Memorials may be made to Marquette Catholic High School in Alton, St. Ambrose Special Education Religion Class, and BJC Hospice. PDF Printable Version

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Anna R. Droste

May 6, 1925 - March 21, 2015