ALBERTA CLARA COWELL, 93, of St. Louis, Missouri, formerly of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 8:35 p.m., Sunday, April 16, 2017 at McKnight Place, St. Louis, Mo.
She was born to the late Leo and Clara (nee Helmers) Postman on November 11, 1923 in Chester, Illinois.
Alberta married Earl Cowell on June 4, 1960 in Chester, Illinois, who preceded her in death on December 15, 1980.
She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Chester, St. Mary's Ladies Sodality, American Legion Auxiliary as well as a member of a weekly quilting group.
Alberta was a homemaker and has always loved to cook and bake. All her children and grandchildren have their favorite "Grandma Alberta" specialties, the most famous being her chocolate chip cookies and pink iced cookies.
She also enjoyed reading and watching Cardinals baseball, but her family always came first. At McKnight Place she was known for walking laps around the building to keep active.
Survivors include five children - Earl "Bill" (Julia) Cowell, Santa Cruz, Calif.; Virginia (Mike) Burch, Belleville; Kathy (Joe) Klevorn, New Lenox; David (Jean) Cowell, St. Louis and Sheila (John) Welge, St. Louis. Two siblings - Arthur (Mary) Postman, North Liberty, Iowa; Jeanine (Robert) Walter, Perryville, Mo.
Twelve grandchildren - Adam Zoellner, Claire Zoellner, Grace Klevorn, Grant Welge, Logan Welge, Emma Welge, Bill (Katy) Cowell, Elizabeth Cowell (Gary Crummer), Suzannah Cowell, Ann Britt, Lynn lake and Chuck (LeAnne) Decker
Thirteen great-grandchildren - Emily and Hayden Cowell, Gabriel and Delphine Crummer-Cowell, Tony Britt, Margaret (Jason) Gibson, Stephanie (Ben) Coneybear, Stacy (Jon) Kump, Sadie Lake, Charlie, Jessie, Mick and Olive Decker.
Two great-great grandchildren - Reagan Coneybear and Ellie Gibson. Several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Preceded in death by parents, husband - Earl Cowell; one son - James Cowell; one daughter - Jeanine (Dick) Decker and three sisters - Dorothy, Laura and Roberta Postman
Funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 19 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Chester, Illinois, with The Very Reverend Eugene H. Wojcik and Father Allen Maes officiating.
Interment will be at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Chester, Illinois. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Memorials can be made to St Mary Catholic Church and St. Mary's Catholic School.
To view this obituary and sign the register book visit www.pmfh.net.
