Eugene B. Sturtewagen

Eugene “Gene” B. Sturtewagen, 84, of Ballwin, MO, formerly of Atkinson, IL, passed away on Monday, May 27, 2024, at his home. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Atkinson, IL. Reverend S. Stephen Engelbrecht will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery. A Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 31, 2024, at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Atkinson Chapel. Visitation will follow from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home on Friday.  Memorials may be directed to the Eugene Sturtewagen Memorial Fund.

Eugene was born on April 30, 1940, in Atkinson, IL, the son of Perdon and Elizabeth (VanDeVoorde) Sturtewagen. He graduated from Annawan High School and went on to attend St. Ambrose University, Davenport, IA where he received a degree in accounting. Gene then served in the U.S. army during the Vietnam conflict. He married Kathryn “Kathy” Walgrave on July 9, 1966, at Sacred Heart Church, Annawan. They had been married for 51 years. She preceded him in death on June 21, 2017. Gene spent 34 plus years at Ralston Purina and retired as Vice President of worldwide production. Gene loved to travel and especially enjoyed spending time with his granddaughter.

Those left to cherish his memory include his daughter, Michele “Shelly” Sturtewagen; his precious granddaughter, Sophia “Sophie” Sturtewagen; and siblings, Alice Morman, and Alma (Jerry) Loncka, along with his 18 nieces and nephews; and his sister in-laws Linda Sturtewagen and Rose Sax.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Perdon and Elizabeth Sturtewagen, brothers, Donovan, Vernon, and Francis; brother-in-law, Ray Mormon; sister-in-law Ann Sturtewagen; and by his loving wife, Kathy Sturtewagen.