Ottilie L Majors (nee Galneder) age 90, of St Louis MO, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 17th, 2025, at her assisted living residence in Friendship Village, Sunset Hills, MO.

Known to many as "Lee", she was preceded in death by her parents George and Marie (née Kegel) Galneder, her sister Mary Galneder, husband, Jack Majors and longtime life partner, Ron Berkel. She was born in Detroit, Michigan, to parents who had emigrated to the United States from Germany. Her father was born in Bavaria and her mother in Cologne, Germany. Her parents arrived at Ellis Island in 1928 and raised two wonderful daughters.

From 1956 thru 1962, Lee worked for the American Red Cross and her assignments included travels to Korea, Japan, Colorado Springs, Germany, France, Nevada and Arizona. Lee loved traveling and the Red Cross enabled her to live her passion. She always said those were some of the best years of her life!!

Lee received her Masters degree in Education in 1963 from Michigan State University. While she was a teacher, Lee met her husband, Jack Majors, who was the ROTC coach. They married on July 16, 1969. They both retired early and traveled in their RV throughout the US until Jack's passing in August of 1990. They were married for 21 beautiful years.

Lee, ever independent and strong, continued RV 'ing with a travel group until she met Ron (her life partner of 21 years), in 1996. Literally from the day they met they never left each other's side. They resided in St Louis and had a condo at the Lake of the Ozarks. Together, they enjoyed many trips, cruises, jet skiing and adventures of all kinds. Lee wrote numerous travel articles for RV Magazines during their jaunts across the US. Their luster and zest for life and fun had no age limitations. Nothing was off the adventure list of possibilities for the two of them. They resided together at Friendship Village, Sunset Hills, until Ron's passing in 2018. Lee loved playing cards, word search, crossword puzzles, ceramics and discovered she had a flair for painting. Lee was a voracious reader and always had a pile of books by her side. Lee had such an amazing outlook on life and enjoyed life to the fullest. Her wisdom, generosity and her wit will be sorely missed.

Lee will be missed by her dear friends, Linda and Dennis, who lovingly refer to her as their bonus mom. She leaves behind many dear friends, especially Clarice, Dave and Trish, many card playing ladies at FV and her three pound, precious fur baby, Honey, who is spoiled beyond belief. Lee was a very kind, loving and gentle soul and will be missed greatly by those whose lives she has touched.

A special thank you to the FV staff, especially the Bridge personnel and FV Hospice who added comfort and loving care to her final days.

A celebration of life service will be held at FV at a later date. In lieu of cremation or burial, Lee has donated her body to Washington University to continue her passion of teaching others.

Arrangements handled by J B Smith Funeral Home Fenton MO