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, September 14, 4-8 pm.
Gen was my sister in every sense of the word. She will be missed but she is now with the Lord and is at peace.
Genevieve was such a sweet, friendly lady. Loved the Lord. We will miss her @ the Thursday luncheons.
So sorry for your loss.
We are so sorry for your loss. Gen has left a huge void in everyone’s lives. May she rest in peace. God bless and keep you in His lloving arms.
No matter how many years went by between times I saw her. She would recognize me instantly and wrap me in one of the best hugs ever.
Something I’ve always been told is family isn’t always blood, family is what you make it. Nana has always made me feel so loved, cared for and she was the sweetest person I’ve ever met. She had a heart of gold, a smile that would light up the whole room and gave the best hugs! She was apart of my family in such a special way, not but blood but by choice. Just like my Aunt Laurie. I will miss her caring gentle heart and her sweet, kind smile. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.
Tom,Laurie,Jim and Vicki
Gen will be greatly missed. Tom and Gen are the biggest reason our beloved neighbors are so close. Please know you are in our thoughts snd prayers.
Beth and Kevin
I am so sorry for your loss, I know she will be missed by many.
I am at a loss for words, Gen was like a second mother to me growing up and always held a special place in my heart. My heart goes out to Tom, Jim, Laurie, Vicki and all the rest of the family. I’m sure my parents were there welcoming her with open arms in heaven.
Our thoughts & prayers are with Tom & her family! We thought so much of her all these years! She will be missed!
I am so very sorry, Sending Prayers and Hugs
.Gen was a very special friend ( family} She will be missed by so many.
To My Friend Tom and the entire Family,
Please accept our condolences on the loss of Gen. Although “loss” is a poor expression as she will always be in our hearts.
Love & Peace to you all,
Leo & Kathy Schwartz
Gen was another mom to me when was in high school. A wonderful woman in every way, she welcomed me into her family and her home as if I were one of her own. I love her deeply, and will miss her.
We are so sad to hear of your loss, Gen was an amazing woman, wife and mother and will live long in our hearts and memories. We will be thinking of you all and will spend a few minutes remembering our time together as a fitting tribute on the 15th. Sending love to you all.
I’m so sorry to hear of her passing. Mrs. Kreyling was my 4th grade teacher back in 1994. She was my favorite! She was my only teacher to come to my wedding in 2005. I still to this day have a hot balloon ornament that I received from her and hang it on my tree every Christmas. Sweet, sweet lady. Prayers for her family.
Tom, our hearts and prayers go out to you and your family. May Gen’s soul and all of the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen…
She was a sweet soul and a smile that would light up a room, and I know she will be missed.
Tom, so sorry for your loss. Gen was a beautiful lady and I know your’ll miss her greatly, Ron and I enjoyed meeting you two in Texas.
Jamie and I are so sorry to hear of her passing. I have such fond memories of her. We are keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers!
Ron and Jamie Clarke
Sorry for your loss, Gen will be missed
Bob & Rochelle Biermann
Tom–So sorry to hear about Gen. We so enjoyed spending time with you in Texas a year ago. We haven’t seen much of both of you the last few years, but have many, many years of being friends in the past. May Gen rest in peace and you find peace in the days ahead.
I can’t put into words how I am feeling. I know she is in a much better place free from pain and suffering. But, from a selfish standpoint I miss her terribly already. Our families have so many wonderful memories throughout the years. She was like a big sister to me. As an extended family member please remember we are only a call or a door knock away. If you want to talk or need a hand with something let us know. We are keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
Tammy and Dennis
Gen I so back to fourth grade at Sappington School and we both ended up graduating together from SEMO. A very hard worker and loved by many. She fought a long hard battle.
Rest in Peace sweet Gen.
Were so sorry to hear about our sweet neighbor Gens passing. She always brought warmth to our neighborhood, and she will be missed. We will keep the Kreyling family in our prayers during this incredibly difficult time.
The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit Psalm 34:18
So sorry for your loss, Gen was such a great person she will be missed for sure. RIP my friend.
I am so sorry for your loss. Your mother was one of the artists who came to the carving shows in Iowa. She was always a welcome sight. Her friendship and her smile will be missed.
Gen became a very close “AWC” participant. She and Tom attended yearly and were wonderful supporters of the Congress through the years. She was a great “leader of the women” that attended, and Gen took others into her friend group although we only saw each once per year. I kept track of the Kreylings through Facebook. She LOVED her Tom and all her family and friends. The last few years were hard health-wise; Gen took it in stride depending on her positive spirit and prayer warriors. May all of you recall wonderful memories and loads of smiles from your wife, mom, grandma, family member and yes, that smile will continue to be in your heart. Blessings and sympathy to ALL. Friends from Central MN. Bruce and Barb Shostak
Gen was so kind and generous it was always a treat to be included in your family celebrations. Tom and she raised a loving family who are all very loving and kind. Prayers for you all.
Tom
Susie & I are so sorry for you and your family’s lost. Gen was not only a friend but a great lady. Although she will be greatly missed, remember she is no longer in pain and is with great company. May God bless you and your family.
Ray & Susie White
We are so sorry to hear of Gen’s passing. She was always filled with laughter and we were glad to see her at Jon’s wedding. We will always remember well how close she was with Sharon.. Even though we are not related, we have fond memories of being next door neighbors to her parents on Lavinia.
Please know we are thinking of all of you during this sorrowful time.
With deepest sympathy,
Bev, Cindy and Lynne Letchworth
When you think of her, remember…. A life lived that ambitiously can only be done by someone so marvelous that her presences here on Earth will forever remain changing the lives of countless people for years to come because those that love her still carry a part of her in their hearts forever. I pray that this and the memories you carry with you will help you through this time of grief.
My thoughts and prayers are with Tom and her family. Gen was such a sweet lady. She will be missed.💕
Tom & Family, so sorry for your loss. Larry knew you guys from the Belleville Woodcarving Club and also from our trips to Doane University in Crete, Nebraska for our week of woodcarving, where Gen taught woodburning. We did not realize Gen had been an elementary school teacher. What a great calling to be of service to children. RIP Gen and we are happy your pain is now in the past and you are with God in heaven.
Sending your family my love, prayers and sympathy. Gen has lived her life generously and lovingly on this earth. May her heavenly journey bring her spirit peace, joy, and fellowship with loved ones fulfilled by her faith in the scriptures.
Tom, So sorry to hear about Gen. Just heard about it just last night. We have some good memories to rely on. My prayers for you and your family, I wish we had stayed closer through the years. God bless!
Tom,
Bill and I were saddened to hear of Gen’s passing. You and your family are in our prayers.
Our sincere sympathy.
We will always remember Gen’sr preschool down the street and how good she was to our daughters. She was a good neighbor and friend.
We were married while in college. Gen baked our wedding cake.
She was thoughtful, talented and caring! Rest in peace.