Vesta Jean Bockenkamp

Come on Mother, let's go to the river to pray... Vesta Bockenkamp (nee St. Clair) – January 21, 1938 – May 20, 2024 Vesta loved her name which was given to her in honor of her father’s beloved childhood teacher. She was born at home in Wappapello, MO to Marie (nee Barnfield) St. Clair and Chester Eli St. Clair and grew up in Dexter, MO with her two sisters Wanda and Phyllis. She died on Monday, May 20 with a hospital room full of family all singing her favorite gospel, Amazing Grace and her favorite Blake Shelton song “Boy’s Round Here.“ Those that couldn’t be there for her passing, were definitely there in spirit! Vesta met the love of her life, Rene Bockenkamp in downtown St. Louis in 1960 and were married by the justice of the peace in Montgomery, Alabama, several months later. They had four daughters, Linda, Laura and the twins Christy and Carole who were born and raised in the St. Louis area. Vesta would best be known for her quick wit, compassion, fierce love for her family which included traveling with her daughters and ice cream. In the last few years, she would never share dessert, you wanted ice cream, get your own! She also had a wicked sense of humor, it could sometimes be dark, but whenever you were with her, you were never bored, you never felt alone and you always felt loved. Family Who Went Before Vesta was predeceased by her father Chester St. Clair, December 7, 1986, mother, Marie St. Clair, May 26, 2010, husband Rene, July 10, 1997, sister Wanda Myers, Februay 7,2020, Son’s-in-law: Jim Harr, December 24, 2018 and John Kronmueller, July 4, 2021. Family She Left Behind She is survived by her daughters: Linda (Jim) Harr, Laura (Mike) Hale, Christine (Robert) Blum and Carole (John) Kronmueller. She was blessed with many grandchildren: Rodney, Jon (Sheryl), Scott (Amy), Alaina, Jacob (Jessica), Mitchell (Jessica), Sydney and Alex and great-grandchildren: Alexis, Kaity, Maggie, Isabelle, Nathan, Mason, Adecyn, Allie, Cora, Emily, Madeline, Rhaygen, Lonnie, Jozi Rose and Morrison Cash. Vesta asked that she be remembered for her love of God, love for her family and her love and patriotism for her country. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Jude’s or the Salvation Army: https://www.stjude.org/give.html https://give.salvationarmyusa.org/give/164006/#!/donation/checkout?amount=Other Proverbs 31:26 "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue." Isaiah 66:13 "As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you."

Vesta Jean Bockenkamp

January 21, 1938 - May 20, 2024