Betty Jane Jehle

Betty Jane Jehle (nee Lovell) July 1, 1929, to January 23, 2022. Betty Jane grew up in Webster Groves, Mo. with her Mother Rita, her loving Grandparents, Meemaw and Grandpa, and Aunt Jane. Betty attended Webster Groves High School, where she met Robert Jehle. Both attended Washington University. Bob and Betty married in May of 1950 before Bob went off to war. Betty graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts in 1951. In 1955, Betty had the opportunity to take ballet lessons from Alexandra Zaharias. The love of ballet developed into a lifelong passion. Betty went on to form the Missouri Concert Ballet, 1973-1983, utilizing dancers from the ballet company and bringing in others to fill the roles and performing At Keil Opera House and Powell Hall. In 1983, Betty Jehle founded the St. Louis Ballet Company, and expanded a new Board of Directors, focusing on fund-raising and diversity. After a brief trip to New York, Betty Jehle and two other board members chose a new Choreographer, Mr. Zalewski, and his wife, Ms. Duodukovsky, Artistic Director. Performances were at Edison Theater and Powell Hall. The Nutcracker Suite was a special time for the St. Louis Ballet with family and friends completely immersed in the world of ballet. Several out-of-state dancers, including Renouard Gee, stayed at the Jehle house during the 2 weeks of performances coming back year after year. Betty would be the first to admit it was a lot of work, but so much fun. Happily, this past year, Betty was fortunate to see her beloved Nutcracker performance twice. Betty Jane Jehle, often heralded as “Betty Ballerina” in St. Louis, was a passionate supporter of the visual and performing arts. She was a member of the Regional Arts Commission, Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis, the Missouri Arts Council, and Dance St. Louis. After retirement from St Louis Ballet in 1993, Betty Jane returned to her artwork, learned lithography and spent her last years creating beautiful flower masterpiece prints. Her constant sources of inspiration were the lilies at the Botanical Garden and all other beautiful flowers. Betty is survived by her three children, Joanne Jehle Byrd, Geoff, and Michael Jehle, four grandchildren, Erin Byrd, Kamran Jehle, Ian Jehle, and Adam Jehle, and a great-grandson Peyton Eyster. She was pre-deceased by her husband Robert Jehle and grandson Kristofer Byrd. Everyone in our family and all our friends will miss this beautiful, vivacious, energetic, brilliant, and artistic star forever. The family will plan a memorial service later this summer.

Betty Jane Jehle

July 1, 1929 - January 23, 2022