Clemens E. Genteman

Clemens E. Genteman Jr., 80, of Washington, passed away on Tuesday, July 30, 2019. Clem was born on September 8, 1938, in St. Louis to the late Clemens E. Sr. and Flora M. (nee Hilke) Genteman and was united in marriage to Judith A. Hettel on August 4, 1962, at St. Cecilia Parish in St. Louis. Clem attended St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas and Webster University in St. Louis in order to pursue his goals of being a professional educator. Teaching and mentoring students was his calling, and it showed through his smile and the smiles of his many students. He began teaching at Our Lady of Sorrows in south St. Louis for twelve years, served as principal at St. Vincent de Paul Grade School in Dutzow for more than thirty years, and came out of retirement to teach at St. Gertrude Grade School in Krakow for another decade. It brought him immense joy to see multiple generations of students continue the tradition and foundation of Catholic education during his tenure at St. Vincent de Paul. He realized the importance of getting students involved in the world outside of the school walls and in 2004, organized the very first bus trip in the area for grade school students to attend the pro-life March for Life in Washington, DC. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Assembly 574 and was a past president of the Bellarmine Speech League of Greater St. Louis. Clem was also a talented artist and sculptor who could see the beauty hidden within that many others couldn’t. He took great pride in his flower garden and was a loving man who cherished life. He was grateful for his life, experiences, relationships, and especially his wife Judith, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2019, at 11 am at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Interment will follow at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Cemetery in Dutzow. A visitation will be held on Friday, August 2, from 1 pm until 8 pm at Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home, 1206 Jefferson St., Washington, Missouri 63090. Memorial donations are appreciated to a scholarship in his memory, please make checks payable to St. Vincent de Paul School Scholarship Fund.

Clem is survived by his wife, Judith Genteman; four children, Lisa Kleekamp and husband Doug of Washington, Lynn Pohl and husband Terry of Washington, Jennifer Olsen and husband Chris of St. Charles, and Paul C. Genteman and wife Christal of Union; twelve grandchildren, Phillip Kleekamp and wife Mary, Lyndsay Knopp and husband Isaac, Brett, Todd, and Gus Kleekamp, Austin Pohl and wife Alysia, Maggie Banal and husband Caleb, Hannah, Haylee, and Dan Olsen, and Samuel and Joshua Genteman; five great grandchildren, Kinley Genteman, Jack and Lily Kleekamp, Ariah Knopp, and Owen Pohl; three siblings, Maryann Childress and husband Jerry, Harriet Pohrer and husband Rich, and Kevin Genteman and wife Kathy; siblings-in-law, John Hettel and wife Dotty, Tom Hettel and wife Sharon, and Mary Spath and husband Mike; other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clemens and Flora Genteman; two sisters, Evelyn Sciarrata and husband Joe and Jo-Ann Troutmann; and one grandson, Corey C. Genteman.

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