Obituary of Leah Rae Czerniewski

A Memorial Mass for Leah Rae Vandiver Czerniewski of Old Monroe, MO will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 17, 2024 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Fr. Michael Lampe, church pastor, and Fr. Richard Rath, former church pastor, will officiate with inurnment in Immaculate Conception Cemetery. Leah, 34, passed away Tuesday night, June 11, 2024 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Born September 26, 1989 in Bridgeton, MO, she was the daughter of Randy Ray and Terri Lea Auchly Vandiver. Leah graduated Valedictorian of Winfield High School class of 2008. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering from St. Louis University and her Master’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering from Washington University. Leah was united in marriage on October 19, 2013 in Old Monroe to Aaron Ray Czerniewski. This union was blessed with one daughter, Lucy. Leah worked as a Research Neuroscientist for Washington University, where she was also working towards earning her PhD. She was a lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Leah was preceded in death by her grandfather, Donald Vandiver; and maternal grandparents, Richard and Lorraine Auchly. Survivors include her husband, Aaron Czerniewski of Old Monroe; their daughter, Lucy; and her parents, Randy and Terri Vandiver of Winfield, MO. Leah also leaves her paternal grandparents, Martha and Carl Lueker of St. Charles, MO; two brothers: Tommy Vandiver and his wife, Kelly, of O’Fallon, MO and Seth Vandiver and his wife, Kim, of Brentwood, MO; one sister, Cara Tidwell and her husband, Adam, of Old Monroe; her in-laws, Ray and Lois Czerniewski of Foristell, MO; one grandmother-in-law, Bonnie Murray of Salem, MO; two brothers-in-law: Paul Hoevelman of Foley, MO and Kenny Czerniewski and his wife, Ashley, of Winfield; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held from 9:00-10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 17, 2024 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Winfield. Memorials may be made to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Immaculate Conception School, Stella’s Wish (or) Stl Cure Sarcoma in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 3838 East Highway 47, P.O. Box 253, Winfield, MO 63389.