Genevieve Laura (Salomon) Kreyling was born December 14,1948 to Harry and Elsa (Hentchel) Salomon in St. Louis, Missouri. She was welcomed into the arms of Jesus, her Lord and Savior on September 9, 2026.
A lifelong educator in every sense, she spent decades shaping young minds from preschool through sixth grade, leaving a lasting mark on generations of children and their families. Retirement simply gave her a wider classroom. Gen loved creating masterpieces. She traveled the country sharing her art through woodburning, building a vibrant community of fellow artists and friends along the way. Deeply proud of her roots, Gen poured her passion into preserving local heritage alongside her husband through the Kimmswick Historical Society, ensuring her family’s deep history remained a living, cherished story.
Gen and Tom’s great love story began at a Carondolet youth group function, where she caught his eye. Three years later, they married on August 30, 1969, at Carondolet Church in St Louis, beginning an incredible 57-year partnership rooted in faith, devotion, and boundless adventure. Together, they explored all 50 states and 7 countries, collecting memories across the globe and spending the last 25 winters soaking in the warm coastal breezes and dear friendships in Port Aransas, Texas.
Her greatest masterpiece, however, was the expansive, fiercely-loved family she and Tom built and nurtured. She leaves behind her devoted husband, Tom; her beloved children, Jim (Susan) Kreyling, Laurie (Matt) Hollenberg, and Vicki (Jaeson) Gildon; and eleven grandchildren who brought endless joy and laughter to her world: Alex (Nicole) and David Hollenberg; Scott, Makayla, Lucy, Katelyn, and Kiera Gildon; Brendan, Andrew, and Courtney Kreyling; and Abbie Jost.
Gen grew up surrounded by a loud, loving clan and remained exceptionally close to her beloved cousins, aunts, and uncles throughout her life. She is survived by her four brothers and the women she cherished not just as sisters-in-law, but as true sisters: Skip (Colleen) Salomon, Jim (Debbie) Salomon, Dan (Mary) Salomon, and Greg (Sue) Salomon; as well as sister-in-law Thelma Tosiani. She loved celebrating each milestone and accomplishment of her countless nieces and nephews. Her warmth, humor, and generous spirit will be deeply missed by her vast circles of friends across the country, from fellow woodcarvers to her Texas winter community.
She is joyfully reunited in heaven with her parents, Harry and Elsa Salomon; her parents-in-law, Walter and Kate (Kitty) Kreyling; her sister-in-law, Joan Salomon, her lifelong best friend, Sharon Norris, and many other friends and extended family who went before her.
In lieu of flowers, we lovingly for memorial donations be made in Gen’s honor to the National Kidney Foundation or to a charity of your choice.
Funeral at Kutis South County Chapel 5255 Lemay Ferry Rd. Tuesday, September 15 at 8:30 am. Interment Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Visitation Monday 4-8 pm.