Maudena A. Dempsey, 87, of Herculaneum died July 24, 2026, at her home. Mrs. Dempsey was a retired dietitian assistant at Jefferson Memorial Hospital as well as an accomplished baker and seamstress. She was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Festus. Born Sept. 27, 1938, in Waterloo, Ill., she was the daughter of the late Lena (Brewer) and Wesley Strange.
She was preceded in death by her husband: Thomas E. Dempsey.
She is survived by three daughters: Christine Recar of Pevely, Kathleen (the late Michael) Conklin of Herculaneum and Marlene Walker of Burlington, Iowa; eight grandchildren: Heather Douglas, Danielle (Cory) Limpert, Eddie (Mary) McKenzie, Brittanie (Brad) Burgess, Kaitlyn Phenix, Michael Conklin, Kathryn Conklin and Gabriel Conklin; 11 great-grandchildren: Connor, Kenzie, Gracen, Maelyn, Declan, Rylee, Eleanor, Briella, Brexton, Bryson and Carter; and numerous other family members and friends.
She also was preceded in death by a sister: Imogene (the late John) Kuykendall; a brother: Winford (Sharon survives of Farmington) Strange; and a grandchild: Jamin Recar.
Visitation is scheduled from 10 a.m. until funeral services at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus, officiated by Rob Enz. Interment will be in Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Pevely. Memorials may be made to Brenden's Friday Backpacks, 3259 Burning Tree Lane, Festus, 63028. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.