Thelma Ruth Jennewein

Born Thelma Ruth Stephens, in 1929, the daughter of Helen and Sidney Stephens, Thelma was raised in south St. Louis, graduated from Harris Teacher’s College in the early 1950s and went on to teach for a short time in the St. Louis school system. In 1954, Thelma was lucky to wed the love of her life, James Joseph Jennewein, and she is survived by their four children, August Jennewein, Kit (Tim) Miller and Thomas (Jane) Jennewein, all of St. Louis, and James (Allison) Jennewein Jr., of New York City, grandchildren Sarah Jennewein, Michelle (Ian) Goodwin, Sean Miller, Jake Jennewein, Kevin (Kelly) Jennewein and great-grandchildren Theodore and Eleanor Jennewein.

In addition to the devotion she had for her family, Thelma was involved in local Catholic charity work and was active in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. After raising a family, Thelma pursued a lifelong dream to be in the performing arts and became active in local St. Louis theater, for many years acting in plays at the Visual and Performing Arts Center at Kirkwood Community College and acting in numerous national print and television advertising campaigns. She also appeared as a model in local department store fashion shows. In her final years she found a new community of friends at All Saints Parish and her family is grateful for all the friendship and prayers she received from this community of faith.

A visitation is planned for Sunday 4pm to 7pm, June 1, 2025, at Kriegshauser Mortuary- West Chapel at 9450 Olive Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63132. A funeral mass will be held at 11am on Monday, June 2, 2025, at All Saints Catholic Church, University City, 6403 Clemens Ave, St. Louis, MO 63130.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you give to Thelma’s favorite charity, St. Vincent De Paul.