Janne Alyce Zalesky Niemoeller

Janne Alyce Zalesky Niemoeller, born on January 4, 1932, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away at age 94 on May 24, 2026, in Germantown, TN after a very brief illness. Janne is survived by her sons John Niemoeller (Claire Seng-Niemoeller) of Lakewood Ranch, FL, David Niemoeller (Leslie Davis) of Bonita Springs, FL, and Stephen Niemoeller (Kim Greene) of Landenberg, PA; and by her grandchildren Benjamin Niemoeller of Sewickley, PA, Samantha Niemoeller of Los Angeles, CA, Brianna Niemoeller of Brooklyn, NY, and Heather Niemoeller of New York, NY. Janne was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Arthur F. Niemoeller, by her sister, Sheryl Zalesky Ware Clark, of Mansfield, TX, and by her parents, Albert C. and Relo O. D. Zalesky, of Cedar Rapids.

Janne graduated from Franklin High School in Cedar Rapids in 1949 and Washington University in St. Louis in 1953. She was a 75-year member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She and Art married in 1953 and, after living in several cities, in 1964 returned in St. Louis where they lived for over 50 years. In the 1950s Janne taught elementary, junior high, and senior high school, mostly the latter where she taught English and mathematics. In the early 1970s she was a substitute junior and senior high school teacher, and in the 2000s she was a grade school reading-writing tutor. In the 1970s she fretted over her head-strong adolescent sons, was her ailing mother’s primary care giver, and counseled for a suicide crisis hotline. In the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, she greatly expanded her gardening skills at home and was a docent for the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis.

Janne’s many passions included: her husband Art; her sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren; other family members, including her niece Wendye Ware; many, many friends and neighbors; bridge and other card games; hosting parties; visiting new places; meeting new people; the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team; reading; and walking. She still walked a mile or two daily into her late 80s.

Janne will have a small private memorial service. She and Art will be buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Cedar Rapids later this year. Janne’s family thanks the many outstanding people who cared for her at The Village at Germantown, and the many friends she made while she lived there.