Louisa M. Zeidler

March 8, 1923 - December 22, 2015

Zeidler, Louisa M. (nee: Ilges), fortified with the sacraments of Holy Mother Church Tuesday, December 22, 2015. Born March 8, 1923, the second of 3 children of Florence and Herman Ilges, she grew up on Theodosia St. just west of Sherman Park in a home her grandfather built. She loved to dig in the dirt and play house with her kittens, the free seats at the Muny, the air races at Lambert Field and watching her mom scratch the mane of the lion at the zoo (much to the anger of the zookeepers). She was doused by Phil the Gorilla and dazzled by the VP Fair parade. After attending Hadley Practical Arts High School, she worked as a window dresser and illustrator before taking a job at Bussman Fuse on the assembly line. When the war broke out, she became one of the first female draftsman at the firm. Many blueprints still carry her name. When the war ended she met Rein Zeidler, a Pearl Harbor survivor, at Bussman. Married for 51 years, they raised 3 sons in St. Jerome Parish, where she lived for another 13 years. During that time she designed the mosaic behind the cross and the famous two-story banners that graced that church for many years. She is survived by 3 sons: Reinhold (Gerilyn), Richard (Janet) and Edward (Dona) Zeidler; 11 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Services: Funeral services for Louisa will be Saturday, December 26 at Holy Name of Jesus, 10235 Ashbrook Drive, St. Louis 63137. A visitation will be held from 9am until Mass at 11am same day at the church. Interment Sacred Heart Cemetery. A celebratory gathering will be held after all services in the church hall. Donations in her memory may be made to Mother of Good Counsel Home, 6825 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis, MO 63121. Online guestbook at www.buchholzmortuary.com. A Buchholz Mortuary Service.