Marge Lechner

Margaret Ann Lechner (nee Schmidt), 91, passed away on January 24th, 2025.

Marge was born on March 21st, 1933 in St. Louis, Missouri, the oldest daughter of Peter and Adeline Schmidt and Isabel Schmidt. Beloved sister of the late William Schmidt and Janice (the late Bob) Kaufman. Cherished aunt to Emily (Matt) Leong and Angie Bryant, and loving great-aunt of Jackson Leong and Kevin Bryant. Treasured best friend to Judy Burnette. Sister-in-law, godmother, cousin, and friend to so many.

A 1951 graduate of St. Francis de Sales High School, Marge entered the School Sisters of Notre Dame Convent in 1952 as Sister Peter Marie. It was here that she earned her teaching degree, and began a long and illustrious career as an educator.

After leaving the convent in 1972, she met the love of her life, Frank Lechner, whom she married on December 26th of that year.

Marge went on to earn an additional degree in Theology, a Masters in Science and Science Comprehension, and a Specialist’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, studying at Webster University and the University of Missouri - Columbia. 

She taught in school districts in Illinois and the City of St. Louis before settling into the Mehlville School District, where she would spend 27 years as a math and science teacher at Washington Junior High School (voted the 1987 Eagle of the Year) and Mehlville High School, before shifting to administration and becoming the Mehlville School District’s Director of Science and Math. During her time at Mehlville, she spent many years on the State Testing Committee for K-12 Science and was instrumental in developing the Missouri State Science test. She received numerous awards for services to the district and its students and to the state of Missouri - including the Missouri Science Educator of the Year in 1999, the first educator in St. Louis County to receive this award.

In 1978, she embarked on a unique side hustle - custom Christmas stockings! She developed a beautiful pattern and traveled on the craft show circuit for 10 years, creating one-of-a-kind stockings for people of all ages! Her stockings featured many different sewing techniques including needlepoint, cross-stitch, and quilting. At one point, the demand for her stockings was so high that she took over an entire bedroom in her house to fulfill her orders and to warehouse her fabrics and notions, complete with dueling sewing machines - one for red thread, and one for green!

For over 40 years, Marge was a parishioner at St. Francis of Assisi in St. Louis County, where she was involved in numerous ministries in the parish, including RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults), CRHP (Christ Renews His Parish), Adult Education, and Senior Celebrations. She also joined the Secular Franciscans, following the spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi through prayer and service. Most importantly, in 2003 she founded the parish library, contributing extensively to its success as a space for spiritual growth and gathering. The library contains over 3000 volumes of printed works, and more than 600 DVDs, one of the largest parish libraries in the diocese. She operated the library until 2015, when it was dedicated to her upon her retirement.

Marge was a 2011 recipient of the Office of Apostolic Services of the Archdiocese of St. Louis’ Evangelizer Award, presented at their annual Catholic Women’s Recognition Celebration. This award is bestowed upon a woman that proclaims the Good News through her life, her work, and her words. 

A lifelong member of the Kiwanis International, Marge received numerous awards, fellowships, and medals for her years of service in the purposeful and intentional improvement of the lives of children and community.

She had a penchant for Wonder Woman, amassing a delightful assortment of ephemera featuring the superhero, rivaled only by her beautiful and unique collection of angels. She loved playing pinball and finding a hot slot machine at the casino.

Marge loved reading and books of all kinds. Perhaps the best way to describe the mark Marge left on so many people is found in a line from one of her favorite children’s books, Barbara Clooney’s Miss Rumphius. As a young girl, the titular character is charged with an important task by her grandfather - “You must do something to make the world more beautiful.” And through her generosity, compassion, humor, and unwavering commitment to learning and teaching, Marge did just that.

In lieu of flowers to honor Marge family prefer Mass donations.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 30, 2025, from 9am until Mass at 10am at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 4556 Telegraph Road, (63129). Interment following Mass to Resurrection Cemetery.