Doris Marie Selle

Doris Marie Selle passed away peacefully on Nov. 1 at her home in Chesterfield, Mo., not far from where she grew up in a large, loving family. She was 95 years old.

Doris was born in St. Louis on April 7, 1931, the daughter of Florence Lettman Vouga and Samuel Vouga, and the oldest of four siblings. She graduated from Clayton High School and Central Missouri State University, and later earned an associate’s degree in interior design and a master’s degree in early childhood development.

Doris influenced a generation of children as an elementary school teacher and Sunday school teacher. Professionally, she primarily taught at schools in the Parkway district in St. Louis County, and also taught in New London, Conn., Rolla and University City.

Doris married Gerald Oliver Selle in July 1955, and they built a life centered around family and a devotion to Jesus Christ. Their 71-year marriage was a source of strength and companionship throughout their lives, and an inspiration to their four adult children and 13 grandchildren.

Doris always took great comfort in knowing that life with Jesus was eternal, reflected in a passage from 2 Corinthians 5:8: "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord."

Doris loved to make beautiful things, including flower arrangements for the sanctuary, table settings for the holidays and dramatic banners for church. She designed many native gardens, including a recent one for her daughter’s new home in Idaho, and was a longtime member of River Bend Garden Club.

She liked to do arts and crafts and tell narrative stories to her elementary students and grandchildren. Her busy home (and basement) was always filled with projects and tools, encouraging her children to build creative lives.

Doris grew up attending Memorial Presbyterian Church in Clayton and, after marrying Jerry, they attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and were later founding members of King of Kings Lutheran in Creve Coeur. For years, the family attended Central Presbyterian in Clayton and, more recently, worshipped at Kirk of the Hills in Chesterfield.

In addition to Jerry, Doris is survived by her adult children: Sheri Winter (Nelson Raymond), Kay Schnurman (Mitchell), Steve Selle (Monika) and Brian Selle (Harriet); her siblings: Larry and Carol; and 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Doris was preceded in death by parents Florence and Samuel Vouga; brother John Vouga; and cousin Jean Winter (her best friend after Jerry).

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at Friendship Village, 15201 Olive Blvd., Chesterfield, Mo. 63017. A graveside service will follow at 2 p.m. at Lake Charles Park Cemetery, 7775 St. Charles Rock Road, St. Louis, Mo. 63114.

As a service of the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.