Mercedes B. Althen, 92, of New Haven, passed away Sunday, October 25, 2015 at Grandview Healthcare Center, Washington, Missouri. 

Mercedes was born in Washington, Missouri on March 9, 1923, the daughter of the late Lambert & Adelaide (Feltmann) Feldmann.

Mercedes received her education in a one room school house and graduated 8th grade.  She worked with her family on the farm until World War II.  She moved to Washington and worked in a local factory during the war.  Mercedes was brought up in the Catholic church.  For many years she attended mass at Holy Family Church in Port Hudson until she moved to New Haven where she attended Assumption Church.

She was the widow of George C. Althen.  They were married on February 2, 1946, at St. Francis Borgia Church, Washington, Missouri.   They bought the Unger Family farm and made a living  raising livestock and crops for many years. The farm was sold in the late 70's and she and George moved to New Haven.  She began babysitting which gave her the opportunity to meet and interact with many New Haven families. She also became an avid St Louis Cardinals baseball fan and she enjoyed discussing her favorite players with everyone.

Mercedes always had a large  garden, she and her family spent many hours preparing vegetables for freezing or canning.  She could make almost anything grow, planting many flowers and trees at their home.  She loved to bake, sew, quilt, cross-stitch and crochet.  

Mercedes is survived by a son Don Althen & wife Suzanne of Wildwood, Missouri, a daughter Judy Hurst of New Haven, a son James Althen & wife Sharon of New Haven, a daughter Donna Buchheit & husband James, Jr. of Hermann, and a son Mike Althen & wife Mary of New Haven, by a daughter-in-law Maria Althen of Washington, a sister, LaVerne Maune, of Union, Missouri, a brother, Edwin "Sonny" Feldmann & wife  Dorothy of Orangevale, California,  by 16 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren.  She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, by a daughter Patricia Johnson, by a son Richard Althen, a grandson Phillip Hurst, by brothers Henry, Richard & Lambert Feldmann and two sisters Evelyn Sieve and Ellen Maune.

Visitation will be  Friday 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home, New Haven, where a memorial service will follow at 6:00 p.m., with Father John Deken officiating.

Memorials may be given to Assumption Cemetery.  C/O Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home.

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