Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Matthew 7:7

Trusting that God would welcome her home, Jeanie Bel Ristau Crenwelge passed from this life into eternity on July 4, 2025. She left behind a legacy of fierce love, faithful devotion, and far-reaching wisdom to her family and friends.

Jeanie Bel was born to Aurthur and Rosa Lyndecker Ristau on Dec. 8,1941, at Keidel Hospital in Fredericksburg, Texas. She also was welcomed by her older brother Albert Ristau, completing their family. They lived at Cherry Springs. In her teen years they moved to Cave Creek. She graduated from Fredericksburg High School in 1960.

She married Lorence Armand Crenwelge, her high school sweetheart, on Sept. 2, 1961. The couple were wed at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg. They married the weekend after Lorence turned 21, which was the only stipulation their parents put on the pending marriage. They enjoyed their life in Fredericksburg with strong family ties and fun with friends in bowling leagues and square dancing.

A loyal daughter and daughter-in-law, Jeanie Bel helped regularly with farm and ranch work on both her home place and Lorence's.  She would later take loving care of both sets of their aging parents.

Jeanie Bel was a devoted mother of two sons. Her children were blessed with her support in their school activities, hobbies, friendships, careers, and eventually their spouses and children.

She began her career in the Gillespie County Courthouse in the mid-1960s. She invested many years in the tax office, culminating in being elected County Treasurer in 1987. She enjoyed her time serving the public, traveling to conferences, and meeting new people. She faithfully served three four-year terms before retiring in 1998.

Jeanie Bel loved to travel and enjoyed several family vacations across the United States, as well as a memorable trip with Lorence to Germany. After his passing in 1999, she went on even more adventures with family and friends. She enjoyed community involvement, being a poll worker during elections, and volunteering at the church office, where she was affectionately nicknamed Trouble. Jeanie Bel also thoroughly enjoyed researching and documenting her family tree.

Jeanie Bel is preceded in death by her husband, parents and brother. She is survived by two children, four grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Her oldest son is Robert Tracy Crenwelge and wife Janice of Fredericksburg, and their sons are: Sheldon Crenwelge of Snohomish, Washington; Austin Crenwelge of Austin, Texas; and Brady Crenwelge and wife Lacy of Temple, Texas, and their son Cooper Crenwelge.  Her youngest son is Douglas Troy Crenwelge and wife Roxanne of Fredericksburg, and their daughter is Bethany Crenwelge of San Angelo, Texas.

Visitation for Jeanie Bel Crenwelge will be 9:30-10:30 am on Thursday, July 10 in Holy Ghost Lutheran Church followed by funeral service at 10:30. Graveside services will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.

Pallbearers are: grandsons Sheldon, Austin and Brady Crenwelge; great-nephews Brandon and Blaine Weinheimer of Fredericksburg; and cousin Scott Crenwelge of Fredericksburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Ghost Lutheran Church or charity of one's choice.