Obituary of Juanita H. Meschke

Juanita Helene Phipps Meschke, 98, was born August 17, 1919 at Christian Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri, to Paris D. and Emma M. (nee Meyer) Phipps.  She was baptized on August 24, 1919, by her grandfather, the Rev. Henry F. C. Meyer.  In March 20, 1932, she was confirmed at Bethesda Lutheran Church, Pine Lawn, Missouri, by the Rev. Adolf Kollmorgen.  At graduation from Normandy High School in June, 1937, she was awarded scholarships to the Music Dept. of Central College, Fayette, Missouri, and Rubicam Business College, St. Louis, Missouri, and attended Rubicam.  She was employed as secretary/accountant by Dun and Bradstreet, Works Project Administration, USA, and during World War II as secretary to the Commanding Officer of the Aeronautical Chart Plant of the Army Air Corps, War Department, in St. Louis.

While studying piano and voice under private teachers, she was accompanist for vocal instructors and members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, also serving as organist at Bethesda Lutheran Church and singing in the St. Louis A Cappella and Bach Choirs and over Radio Station KFUO.

On November 4, 1945, she was united in marriage to the Rev. Bernhardt F. Meschke of Fullerton, Nebraska.  After serving in Nebraska parishes in Fullerton, Norfolk, Columbus, and Hampton, he retired in June, 1984, and they moved to Faribault, Minnesota.  During these years she was active in music as organist, director of church and community choirs, and as a private music teacher.  From 1962 to 1976, she was vocal coach and accompanist at Columbus High School,  In Faribault, she served as Director of Music at Peace Lutheran Church.  Following the death of her husband on January 1, 2000, she moved to Edwardsville, Illinois, near her son Mark and his family, and was active in the music program of Trinity Lutheran Church.  After Mark's death she moved to Hamlin, New York, in June, 2011. close to daughters Lillian Meyer and Joan Brackett and their families.

She was received into the Kingdom of Glory by her Lord Jesus Christ on December 12, 2017.  She was predeceased by her husband, Rev. B.F. Meschke, her son, Rev. Mark Meschke, her son-in-law, Steve, her brothers, Paul, Arnold, Arthur & Ralph Phipps, and her sister, Adele Ryan.  Juanita is survived by her daughters, Lillian (Karl) Meyer, Lois (Robert) Espeland, Joan, Virginia (Patrick) McGill; her daughter-in-law, Dorothy; her 9 grandchildren; her 12 great-grandchildren; her 1 great-great-grandchild; her sister, Julia Phipps; and 2 sisters-in-law, Arline & Fern Phipps; and many nieces and nephews. 

Her Memorial Service will be held Sunday, December 17th at 2 PM at St. John Lutheran Church in Hamlin.  Flowers are gratefully declined.  Those wishing may contribute to Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Pl, St. Louis, MO 63105, OR LCMS World Missions, Mission Advancement, P.O. Box 66861, St. Louis, MO 63166-6861, OR Lutherans For Life, 1101 5th Street, Nevada, IA 50201-1816 in memory of Juanita.