Lynne Labertew
Bethalto | Save
Lynne Marie Labertew, 79, passed away unexpectedly, though peacefully, after a brief medical emergency on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at Christian Northeast Hospital in St. Louis, with her husband and sons by her side.
She was born on November 10, 1946, in St. Louis, Missouri, to John C. and Marion (Simpkins) Niemann. She married Gary N. Labertew on August 26, 1967, in Dellwood, Missouri.
After attending SEMO and NIU, she obtained her master’s degree. In her early years after university, her primary focus was her family as a stay-at-home mom. After her sons reached school age, she began working for the Bethalto Community School District, where she worked as a kindergarten teacher for 20 years before her retirement in 2002. She performed this work with diligence, skill and loving care for each of her students.
Lynne could never sit still. She spent her whole life trying new things and starting new projects. In high school, she was a cheerleader and danced Terpsichore. As an adult, she learned to oil paint from her mother-in-law Mary Alice Labertew, and painted mostly landscapes and flowers. Lynne had just recently started a fresh acrylic on canvas. She also made stained glass artwork. Once, she made a wedding quilt for a friend. It was so well-received that she had a wedding quilt business for a few years.
She enjoyed and was skilled in the domestic arts: sewing, cooking, gardening and decorating. She knew how to make a home cozy. Her culinary standouts were caramel corn, Grandma Labertew’s noodles and Aunt Alma’s rolls. She always had a large garden of both flowers and produce, and her plantings from this year are still producing food and beauty for her family.
Lynne and her husband renovated many homes over the years, doing almost all of the labor themselves. Most recently, Lynne completed a detailed dollhouse, crafting all manner of miniature furnishings. When she finished that dollhouse, she built and furnished a second one!
She loved her lake house, and she loved making it beautiful. The highlight of her year was preparing that house for guests and celebrating the Fourth of July with them.
Lynne always had a variety of pets in and around her home. She took in, cared for and loved so many dogs and cats there are too many to list, but her dog Baby held a special place in her heart during her later working years and early retirement years. Most recently she raised a flock of three dozen laying hens from chicks. All were her pets. Lynne brought two of the hens who needed special care into her kitchen, where they still live.
She is survived by her husband Gary; her son Bradley and his partner Mary Brewster; her son Matthew; her brother James C. Niemann; her nephews and nieces Christina Niemann Seidner, John Niemann, Jennifer Niemann Kube, Heather Niemann-Archambault, and James C. Niemann Jr.; her cousins Paul Brown, Lori Reetzke, Elizabeth White, and Marijo Favors; Becky, Susie and Carol Emrich; and Elaine Kurtz; lifelong friends Greg and Mary Jo Calame, and Rod and Connie Reid; and many other nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother; her brother John Niemann and his wife Frances (Neiner) Niemann; and her beloved Aunt Marie (Simpkins) Brown.
In memory of Lynne’s compassion for animals in need, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to Hope Animal Rescues in Godfrey, 5A's Animal Shelter (Alton Area Animal Aid Association), Metro East Humane Society in Edwardsville, and The Angel Fund at Hawthorne Animal Hospital in Edwardsville.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 23, 2026, from 1 pm until time of service at 2:45 pm, at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto.
Online condolences and guestbook may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
