Agnes Marie Brondel

Agnes Marie Brondel, 96, Wardsville, died peacefully at her home on Thursday, March 21,2024.

She was born on April 6, 1927, in Taos, a daughter of Linus and Lidwina (Wolken) Bernskoetter.

She was married on November 5, 1949, to Paul F. Brondel of St. Martins, who preceded her in death on May 25, 2004.

Agnes started working at the International Shoe Factory in Jefferson City at age 16 and became a homemaker when her children were young.  She was a beloved cook at St. Stanislaus School in Wardsville from 1967 until her retirement in 1993.  Former students often told her that they still fondly remembered her homemade cinnamon rolls.

Her passion was gardening and she was happiest when outdoors working in her garden and her yard.  To the astonishment of neighbors and passersby she continued mowing her own sizable yard into her 90s.

She had been a member of St. Stanislaus Church since 1955 and volunteered for many years with the quilting group there, whose members she counted as her dearest friends.  She loved being an integral part of her family’s lives and enjoyed receiving text updates and pictures from them.  Her life was centered on family and being a part of the Wardsville community.

Agnes was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Norbert Bernskoetter, Albert Bernskoetter, and Paul Bernskoetter; and a sister Catherine Martin.

She is survived by a sister, Lucille Bernskoetter, Wardsville; a brother, John Bernskoetter, Jefferson City; a sister-in-law, Charlene Bernskoetter, Jefferson City; three daughters, Sandra Hopkins (Gary “Buzz”), St. Louis; Cynthia Arch (Jeff), Mendocino, CA; Loyce Rushen, Springfield; five grandchildren, Seth Hopkins (Janel), Chapel Hill, NC; Madeline Hopkins, Terricciola, Italy; Blair Hopkins (Traviss Smelser), St. Louis; Sam Rushen (Lindsey), Fort Worth, TX; and  Jack Rushen (Katlyn Heuvelman), St. Louis.  She is also survived by six great-grandchildren, Wyatt Hopkins, Tess Hopkins, Kora Bruchi, Dante Bruchi, Margaret Atkinson and Eloise Atkinson.

The family greatly appreciates the loving and competent care she received from Compassus Hospice and also the many generous friends, family, neighbors and parish priests for their outpouring of love and support in her final days. 

Visitation will be 9:30-10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Wardsville.  Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Msgr. David D. Cox officiating.

Burial will be in St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Stanislaus Education Foundation or a charity of the donor’s choice. 

Services entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City. trimblefunerals.com