Betty June (Mehner) Vogelsang, 94, of Barnhart died July 12, 2024, in Festus. Mrs. Vogelsang began her nursing career after graduating from St. Louis City Hospital School of Nursing. While raising her two children, she earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri St. Louis and her master's degree from Webster University. Throughout her career, she worked in pediatrics at St. Joseph Hospital and the emergency room at Jefferson Memorial Hospital. She also served as a school nurse within Hancock Place School District and Windsor School District. She continued working as a substitute nurse at Windsor after her retirement. She was involved in her community as a parish nurse at Trinity Lutheran Church in the Soulard neighborhood in St. Louis and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Otto. Her passion for teaching led her to educate future nurses at St. Louis City Hospital, Lutheran Hospital and the Jefferson College LPN program.
She was a devoted member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Otto. She also took on leadership roles in the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H and Civil Air Patrol. Mrs. Vogelsang and her husband, Gerald, were avid RV enthusiasts spending 15 years as camp hosts during the summer months at Trail of Tears State Park in Jackson. She was also trained as an interpreter to tell the story and history of the Trail of Tears at the park visitor's center. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family and caring for others. Born March 13, 1930, in St. Louis, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Matilda Mehner.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years: Gerald Vogelsang.
She is survived by two children: Steve (Linda Koester-Vogelsang) Vogelsang and Gayle Vogelsang; five grandchildren: Carri Kemper, Ethan, Luke, Kyle (Sarah) and Sydney Vogelsang; two great-grandchildren: Xavier and Annie; and two brothers: Jack Mehner and Mark (Debbie) Mehner.
She also was preceded in death by her infant son: Richard "Ricky" Vogelsang; a brother: Lee Mehner; and a sister: Patricia (Mehner) Kaisner.
Visitation is scheduled from 9 a.m. until a funeral service at 11 a.m. Friday, July 26, at Kutis South County Chapel, 5255 Lemay Ferry Road, in south St. Louis County. Burial will follow in St. Trinity Cemetery in Lemay. Memorials may be made to a local animal shelter or rescue organization of the donor’s choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Kutis South County Chapel.