Vallie Louise "Buddy" Lujin

Vallie Louise "Buddy" Lujin, age 94, of Versailles, passed away Sunday morning, December 27, 2015, at the Good Shepherd Care Center in Versailles.
She was born October 7, 1921, in Versailles, the oldest child of Elmer W. and Mildred V. Lumley Guenther. On the day she was born, her father took her in his arms, looked at his new born daughter and said "you are going to be my "Buddy", and she carried the name from that day forward.
Buddy graduated in 1939 from Versailles High School and it was during that time she caught the eye of the new boy in school, Virgil S. "Buzz" Lujin, Jr. During her courtship she attended Christian College in Columbia for a year. She returned home and worked at the Bank of Versailles before marrying Buzz on March 24, 1943, at the United Methodist Church in Versailles. On March 25, 2011, the day after their 68th wedding anniversary, Buzz preceded her in death.
Buddy was a war bride, awaiting the return of Buzz as he served his country as a pilot in the United States Navy.
Following the war, Buzz went to work at Carpenter-Guenther Lumber Company in Versailles. He and Buddy later purchased the business, working alongside each other for more than 60 years. They, along with their sons Rick and Ron, made quality materials and service the cornerstone of their business.
She was a lifelong member of the Versailles United Methodist Church, attending faithfully until her health failed her. She was active in the Order of the Eastern Star, Senior Sorosis, and a charter member of the Rolling Hills Country Club. In 2010, she and Buzz were the Grand Marshals of the Versailles Old Tyme Apple Festival parade.
She was an avid Bridge player for many years. She enjoyed attending Buzz's Navy reunions and taking strolls with him in the evenings.
Buddy was an accomplished seamstress, making her own clothes as a young woman and also for her daughter after she was born. She knitted sweaters; needle pointed and made crewel ornaments. In later years, to keep her hands busy, she took up crocheting dishrags, giving them as gifts to family and friends.
Buddy loved family gatherings, creating Easter bunny cakes (which are still part of the family tradition) setting the standard for deviled eggs, and providing the pies for Thanksgiving dinner. At Christmas she was known for her decorated sugar cookies and peanut brittle and her home was adorned with Christmas stockings, one for each child, grandchild and great grandchild, lovingly made by "Nannie." For all of her accomplishments, the one that stood out the most was her devotion to every member of her family.
She is survived by three children and their spouses, Richard V. "Rick" and Karen Lujin of Versailles; Rebecca A. "Becky" and Bob Hughes of Ladue and Ronald L. "Ron" Lujin of Versailles; five siblings, Bertha Mae "Honey" Scrivner of Versailles; Samuel M. Guenther and wife Jan of Gravois Mills; Col. E.W. "Gus" Guenther USAF-Ret. and wife Marsha of San Antonio, Texas; Loyce Kathleen "Snooks" Washburn of Springfield and Robert A. "Bob" and Pat Guenther of Cincinnati, Ohio; five grandchildren and their spouses, Regan and Rob Walter, Trent and Georganna Lujin, Ashley and Kevin Haden, Terrence and Jennifer Lujin, and Trisha and Derek Dorsey; sixteen great grandchildren, Caleb, Anna, Jesse, Samuel, Luke, Micah, Thad, Mercy and Asa Walter, Finn Lujin, Avery, Brooks, Shepherd, and Crew Haden, and Ashlynn and Wyatt "Buzzy" Lujin, along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband, she was also preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Charles Reed and Gene G. Guenther, a sister-in-law, Jackie Guenther and a brother-in-law, Jim Scrivner.
Private family services will be held with interment in the Lujin Family Plot in the West Lawn Addition of the Versailles Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Versailles United Methodist Church Memorial Fund in memory of Buddy Lujin.

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