Rose Marie (Zink) Lagana

Rose Marie Lagana, 96, of Lake St. Louis, MO passed away on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at the Cottages of Lake St. Louis where she resided since June 14, 2021 in Betty Cottage.

She was born to the late John and Mary Frances (Hagner) Zink on August 12, 1925 in St. Louis, MO. Rose graduated from Rosati-Kain High School in 1943.  She started her career in nursing after graduating from St. John’s Mercy School of Nursing.

Rose married Charles Joseph Lagana, Jr. on November 28, 1947 in St. Louis, MO. They resided in St. Louis, MO until moving to Troy, MO.  They later resided in Lake St. Louis, MO.

Rose is survived by two daughters, Cheri Ann Purpura Thurman of Wentzville, MO and Diane Marie (Gerald/Jerry) Witthaus of Montgomery City, MO.  She is survived by five grandchildren: Dominic Purpura, Gina (Brad Jaehn) Purpura, Angela (Cesar) Keller, Eric (Elizabeth Yoder) Witthaus, and Dr. Matthew Witthaus.  She lovingly doted on her three great grandchildren Audrey, Miguel and Annabelle Keller.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Joseph Lagana Jr. (12-23-1999), and a son, Charles Joseph Lagana III of Troy, MO (12-26-1975).

Rose raised three children while being a devoted nurse. She began her nursing career at the Old St. John’s Mercy Hospital and then helped move the hospital to South New Ballas Road. After moving to Troy, MO she filled almost every nursing job there was at Lincoln County Memorial Hospital (Mercy Hospital Lincoln), retiring after serving many years as Director of Nursing.

She belonged to the 15th District Nurses Association where she held many elected state and local offices.  She belonged to the Business Professional Women (BPW) and was awarded Woman of the Year in Lincoln County.  She was awarded with the 1989 Volunteer of the Year Award by the American Cancer Society.  She was very involved in her communities and churches, helping with multiple fundraising activities.  She was most recently involved as a member of the YACs at St. Patrick Church, Wentzville, MO.

Visitation will be held at Pitman Funeral Home, 1545 Wentzville Parkway, Wentzville, MO 63385 on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 from 4 to 8 pm.

The Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Patrick Church, Wentzville, MO on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at 9 am.  Burial will follow at Jefferson Barracks, where she will be buried with her husband Charles.

Memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society.

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