Jeanne M. Rueth

She was born on 24 June, 1950 to Henry and Helen Wurthmann, received her bachelor’s degree from the College of St. Mary in 1971, her master’s degree from Auburn University in 1977, and her law and doctorate degrees from St. Louis University in 1975 and 1984 respectively. She is survived by her children Eileen and Dan, her siblings Rosemary, Regina, Susan, Colleen, Henry, Elizabeth, and Melissa, as well as her grandchildren Lydia, Josh, Max, and Maureen.

Jena grew up as an Air Force child, accompanying her family on assignments from Oklahoma to Omaha, Bermuda, and beyond. Her intelligence and natural leadership skills - coupled with a sense of adventure and patriotism - led her to a trailblazing career as an Air Force Judge Advocate General. She raised two children in four different countries, embracing the mantra that, “I'll go anywhere I'm needed. But given the option, I want to be in charge.” The Air Force always needed her, and often put her in charge.

She was a devoted mother who shared her time generously with her children, helping them nurture and navigate meaningful relationships and careers. She was always willing to share her strong and informed opinions, but derived her greatest joys from stepping back to see where personal conviction and fate might take her loved ones. She was the best “Baba” imaginable to her four grandchildren, and loved to organize international trips for each member of her vast network of friends, siblings, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews. She tailored each expedition to the unique interests of the person she accompanied. And while she encouraged her travel partners to think without limits, she was not above putting her thumb on the scale so that they could go somewhere new to her.

She died alongside her sister and fellow airman Virginia Wurthmann, sadly before taking her cherished grandchildren on their worldwide voyages. By that point, she had marked Mongolia, Finland, Rwanda, Antarctica, Guatemala, Jordan, and dozens of others off the list, and no doubt had others on deck. Thankfully, Jena planted her love of history, exploration, and companionship so deeply in the family soil that succeeding generations will have no trouble deciding where they might go and what they might discover.

SERVICE: Memorial services are open to the public, beginning with a Visitation at Hoffmeister Colonial Mortuary from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Tuesday, 21 March. Funeral Mass, Wednesday, 22 March, 9:30 am at The Cathedral Basilica, 4431 Lindell Blvd.; 63108. With interment to follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in her name to either Court Appointed Special Advocates of St. Louis (stlcasa.org) or The Sierra Club (sierraclub.org).