Droste

Alice Elfrieda Droste, 95, died peacefully on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, at Gillespie Health and Rehab Center in Gillespie. She was born on Nov. 3, 1927, in Litchfield to Emil Henry Niemann and Emma Dorothy (Reising) Niemann. She married Vernon Ervin Droste on June 20, 1948, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in South Litchfield Township. He preceded her in death on March 1, 2016.

She attended Litchfield High School and graduated in the Class of 1945. Mrs. Droste, along with her husband, Vernon, owned and operated Droste’s Market in Mt. Olive. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mt. Olive. Mrs. Droste served on the Mt. Olive Library Board and was a member of the Lydia Circle.

Survivors include two sons, Richard (Mary) Droste of Charleston, Charles (Vicki) Droste of Mt. Olive; one daughter, Barbara (Michael) Rademacher of Mt. Olive; four granddaughters, Emilie (Todd) Erickson of Flower Mound, Texas, Julie (Brian) Mollet of Glen Carbon, Jenna (Kevin) McCarthy of O’Fallon, Amanda (Andrew) Patterson of O’Fallon; three grandsons, John (Lesley) Droste of Carmel, Ind., Alex (Carly) Droste of Crystal Lake, Paul (Rachel) Rademacher of Mt. Vernon; 18 great-grandchildren; and a brother-in-law, Roy Monke. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, David Droste; and a grandson, Mitchell Vernon Rademacher.

Funeral services were held at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Tuesday, Nov. 7, with Rev. James Ritter officiating. Interment was in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Immanuel Lutheran Church and Mt. Olive Public Library. Anyone wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at beckerandson.com. Becker and Son Funeral Home in Mt. Olive is in charge of arrangements.