Janet Merle (nee: Buchheit) Kies November 23, 2023 (Thanksgiving Day) at de Greeff Hospice House in St Louis, Missouri. She was born October 4, 1929, in St Louis, Missouri to Charles Albert and Lucy Merle (nee: Dale) Buchheit.
Janet was Baptized and Confirmed, at Nazareth Evangelical Church in South City St. Louis, and she was married there to Charles Edwin Henry Kies on September 8, 1956.
She graduated from Cleveland High School in 1947, and Harris Teacher’s College in St Louis, in 1951. She was an active member of Delta Sigma Epsilon (now Delta Zeta) sorority, whose vision is to truly inspire action and impact lives globally through philanthropy, scholarship and service.
Trained as an educator, Janet taught in one of the first integrated classrooms at Madison School in the city of St Louis. She taught at Central Presbyterian for the Young Years, and spent most of her years teaching in the Riverview Gardens School District. She retired June 20, 1992.
She was ever faithful and active in the United Church of Christ. She was a member of the St. Louis-wide youth Federation and participated in a Caravan program in 1953, that sought to connect communities across geographic and racial boundaries. In 1954 She traveled with Church World Service to Germany to help the rebuilding efforts after the war. She was in the couples’ club and choir at St. Stephen UCC with her husband Bud, served as Sunday School Superintendent, council member and as Council President of St. Stephen, and as member, VP and President of the steering committee for the St Louis Association of Women’s Fellowship UCC (SLAW) in the late 80s. She was a member of Church Women United. She served as a Floor Steward at General Synod in 1993 and General Synod Delegate in 2001. In the late 90’s early 2000s she served on the St Louis Association Preparation for Ministry Committee (4 years). In younger years, Jan was a Girl Scout leader and camp counselor, later in life she enjoyed Women’s Retreats at Camp MoVal.
At St Lucas UCC she was active in the choir, Women’s Fellowship, and the UCC Heritage Committee. She was a faithful supporter of UCC Ministries: The Deaconess Foundation, Emmaus Homes and Every Child’s Hope, Neighborhood Houses.
Jan loved to travel and was able to visit many places in the US and abroad with her husband and family. She returned many times to visit friends in Germany and Switzerland and enjoyed hosting international guests in her home.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband “Bud,” July 1, 2014, her son John Kies, and her sister Lois Winter.
Surviving are her children: Jeffrey Kies, of St. Peters, MO, Julie Kies, of St. Louis, MO, Brother John Buchheit (Judy), and Godson William Winter Jr. (Lisa), of Glen Carbon, IL, life-long friend Kay Siegrist and many other friends and loved ones.
Memorial gifts may be made to Every Child’s Hope, Emmaus Homes, Salvation Army or de Greeff Hospice House.
Services: Visitation at Kutis South County Chapel 5255 Lemay Ferry Road Thursday, December 7. 5-8pm. Then to St. Lucas United Church of Christ 11735 Denny Road St. Louis, MO 63126 Friday, December 8, visitation 10am until service at 11am. Interment St. Lucas Cemetery.
I will always have fond memories of growing up across the street from the Kies family. Kind and generous, Mr. and Mrs. Kies were the best neighbors you could ever hope for. I want to extend my deepest sympathies to Jeff, Julie, and everyone else who will miss her.
Sincerely,
Harry Brooks
Thank you Harry for your kind words. My regards to your dad and brothers. Jeff Kies
Thinking of you today. May you find peace and comfort during this sad time.
The Kies family are the best neighbors. We have many wonderful memories of Jan and Bud. We are so sorry for your loss.
Thank you so much four kind words. Mom and Dad thought the world of you and twins.
Love, Jeff Kies
Thinking of you all. Such fond memories of your visits to Iowa and time together. Prayers with you all ❤️🙏
Dear Linda & Family,
Thanks for writing us. Mom and I loved the Labor Day weekends and family reunions in Logan. We consider that God’s country as we do dad’s hometown of Jackson, MO. There is something special about rural areas that restores a person’s soul. My love to all my Iove to my Iowa cousins. Jeff Kies
Our condolences to Jeff and Julie. Growing up at St Stephens Church, I have many fond memories of Janet being involved with the Sunday School program, Vacation Bible School, the choir, as well as visiting with Bud and Janet at coffee hour. Hopefully the pain of your loss will quickly be replaced with warm memories of your terrific parents.
Thanks so much for your kind sentiments. She was the most loving mother anyone could have been blessed with.
Love,
Jeff Kies
I met Janet 8 years ago. She was a very special person who welcomed my Daughter Nikki and our family into her life with no reservations She came to many celebrations at our house with Julie and even went to Florida with our family trip in 2019. We considered her and Julie part of our family and will always treasure our time together. . She told me often how lucky I was to have “wonderful” grandchildren. She loved watching them
Run around and play. She will be missed.
Jan Kies lived a life that exemplified the principle of “Love one Another.” She was warm, sweet, caring, and kind. She had room in her heart for all of us and loved each one unconditionally. You couldn’t help being charmed by the joy in her soul, the lilt of her laughter, her sense of humor, and those twinkling eyes when she smiled. So Blessed to have known her. She will be greatly missed.
Lovingly,
Kelly
Thank you so much for your heartfelt and loving rememberences. Thanks for the beautiful flowers you sent to us!
Love,
Jeff Kies
Dear Jeff and Julie,
What a remarkable life and proud legacy! I know you will treasure your memories. I hold you in. my thoughts and prayers.
Charlotte Blattner Ellington
Jeff and Julie,
Thanks to our Lord’s triumph over death, we have a hope, a resurrection, the Holy Spirit, and peace all available to us. I am praying for you.