Marcella Louise Bunten, 104, of Louisiana, Mo., formerly of Bowling Green, Mo., died peacefully on Friday, May 24, 2024, at Lynn’s Heritage House.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Marcella was held on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at 11 a.m. at St. Clement Catholic Church, Bowling Green, Mo., with Fr. Henry Ussher, Deacon Wayne Korte, and Deacon Mark Dobelman officiating. Burial was in St. Clement Cemetery beside her beloved husband, Harry. A Rosary, on Tuesday, May 28. Visitation was until 6 p.m. that evening at Bibb-Veach Funeral Home and Crematory in Bowling Green, Mo.
Marcella was born Oct. 11, 1919, to Theodore and Julia (Oberdahlhoff) Korte in Bowling Green, Mo., one of eight children. She was united in marriage to her beloved, Harry Bunten on May 7, 1946, at St. Clement Church. This union was blessed with five children: Carl (JoAnn) Bunten of Brookfield, Mo.; Mary Jane (the late Larry) Grinstead of Springfield, Mo.; Carolyn (Dennis) Cissell of Springfield, Mo.; Roger (Jo) Bunten of Morton, Ill.; Michael (Linda) Bunten, of Kansas City, Mo.
Also surviving are 11 grandchildren: Theresa (Jim) Fitzpatrick; Marcia (Dave) Machens; Jon (Ali) Bunten; Mike (Stefanie) Grinstead; Laura (Mark) Reynolds; Greg (Carolyn Bailey) Cissell; Sara (Ross Wasserman) Cissell; Kate (Dan) Pola; Matthew Bunten; Lauren Bunten; Josh Bunten; and 13 great-grandchildren, with No. 14 on the way!
Marcella lived her entire life in Pike County, Mo. She developed a love for education at an early age. She attended the Crow School through the eighth grade. Then, she did it again to assist Mrs. Williams with the younger students. She taught her children the importance of education, faith, family, and love of neighbor.
Harry and Marcella continued to farm until Harry was in his early 90s. Harry died earlier on May 8, 2005.
She was known and respected by family, neighbors, and friends as a caring and loving daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Marcella was also known as an excellent seamstress, who made clothes for her entire family at one time or another. She was active in the Ladies’ Sodality and was revered for her work on the Picnic Tea Committee.
Marcella loved to sing with the St. Clement Church Choir, serving as a soloist for many weddings.
Marcella was an excellent cook, using farm-to-table ingredients from the family farm. Best known for her pies and for filling the freezer with all varieties of cookies for visiting children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, she dearly loved to bake for her friends and family.
She taught herself to crochet, and lovingly made many blankets for her family over the years, finishing the last one just a short while ago.
Through these years Marcella continued with her love of learning and, with some help, taught herself how to use a computer. She sent a daily email via the “Bunten News Network” (BNN), which outlined her daily activities that reached her family far and wide until the day preceding her death.
Even though all her children moved away, they would travel to visit as often as possible. All of her children and grandchildren speak fondly of the many memories they have had coming back home to visit the farm.
After Harry’s death, Marcella lived on the farm alone and managed the day-to-day activities until she was 98. Marcella drove herself to the grocery store every week and to church every Sunday. She cherished the love and support of her family and friends in the St. Clement Parish, and surrounding community.
Marcella ultimately decided to move to Lynn’s Heritage House for extra help with her daily detail. By this time, many of her long-time friends had passed away.
She often mused that she could easily keep herself busy. She loved word puzzles, reading, welcoming visitors, and getting emails from her family.
The entire family is at peace knowing that Marcella can once again enjoy conversation with the man with whom she shared faith, love, family, and common interests for all those years, and continued in love to the end.
The family wishes to extend our most heartfelt thanks to the staff at Lynn’s Heritage House, Louisiana, Mo., who lovingly cared for our mother for over six years.
Pallbearers were Greg Cissell, Jon Bunten, Matthew Bunten, Dave Machens, Dan Pola, and Ralph Miller.
Honorary Pallbearers were Mike Grinstead, Jim Fitzpatrick, Mark Reynolds, Ross Wasserman, and Josh Bunten.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St Clement Catholic Church, 21509 MO 161, Bowling Green, MO 63334, or St Clement Cemetery Association, 22334 MO 161, Bowling Green, MO 63334, attn: Larry Twellman.
Online condolences may be made at www.bibbveach.com.