Margaret Ann Nilges, 87, of Wellsville, passed away at 2:35 a.m. Sunday May 19, 2024, at Baptist Homes Tri-County in Vandalia.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday May 23, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Martinsburg with Father Greg Oligschlaeger officiating. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery in Wellsville.

Visitation will be Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the church. Myers Funeral Home in handling the arrangements.

Margaret was born November 18, 1936. She was the only child of Clarence B. and Bernadine (Arens) Loethen. On October 8, 1955, in Jefferson City, she married Melvin F. Nilges who preceded her in death on January 31, 2011.

Margaret loved being outdoors and enjoyed taking care of her yard and flowers. She enjoyed doing embroidery, playing bingo, and scratching off lottery tickets. She was a huge fan of Cardinal Baseball. Her faith was very important to her throughout her whole life. She would take communion to the residents of Gamma Lodge in Wellsville and served her church as a Eucharist Minister.  She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church

Survivors include four sons, Michael H. Nilges (Joy), of Eugene, Missouri, Mark A. Nilges (Kathy), of Montgomery City, Stephen Nilges (LuAnn), of Vandalia, and James B. Nilges (Kelly), of Wardsville; three daughters, Diana Smith (Rick), of Ashland, Barbara Straube (Dewey), of Vandalia, and Melanie Carr (Roger), of Montgomery City; 20 grandchildren, Cory Nilges (Monica), Ashley Sachs (Chris), Keith Smith, Christal Jones (Jason), Shelby Contrades (Korey), Brandon Straube (Beth), Christopher Straube (Laura), Kailyn Pease (Dustan), Arianna Tate (David), Lauren Nilges, Brent Carr (Micki), Danielle Durham (Jonathan), Taylor Carr (Austin), Scott Nilges (Jessica), Sean Nilges (Lindsey), Lucas Nilges, Kyle Kampeter (Megan), Alyssa Nilges, and A.J. Nilges; 30 great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; and one grandson, Cody Nilges.

The family suggests memorial gifts to either St. Joseph Catholic Church, St Joseph Catholic School, or to the American Diabetes Association. They may be sent in care of Myers Funeral Home, 203 E. Bates Street, Wellsville, MO 63384.