Jean Marie (Bell) Thomasma

Jean Marie Thomasma, nee Bell, of Steelville, Missouri passed away Thursday, February 13, 2025 at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis at the age of 67 years, 9 months and 21 days. She was born April 23, 1957 in Rolla, MO to Paul and Deloris Bell.

Jean graduated from Steelville High School in 1975. She attended University of Missouri-Columbia for three years and later received her accounting degree through Sienna Heights College in CA. She traveled to Europe and spent twelve years with the Covenant Players, an international Christian drama ministry. While there she met and married her husband, Lanin D. Thomasma on November 17, 1984 in Nordborg, Denmark and to this union two daughters were born. After a number of years in Europe and going back to the states, she worked in the financial realm of the World Headquarters of Covenant Players and for Temple Shomer Emunim in Sylvania, OH. She and Lanin eventually settled in her hometown of Steelville where she became the accountant for the family business the last fourteen years. Jean was an adventurous woman who enjoyed life and a passion for working. Her motto was “Work is love made visible.” She was also a care giver for her mother the last few years.

Jean was a big supporter of the local community whether it was the Presbyterian Church, Art Council, the Chamber of Commerce or Rusty’s Pets-Steelville Dog Pound.

She enjoyed playing games, especially board games and crossword puzzles and loved precious moments with her grandchildren. Jean left an amazing legacy of work ethics for her family and her co-workers along with the glue to keep her family in touch with each other.

She was preceded in death by her father, Paul Lloyd Bell.

She will be lovingly missed by her husband of 40 years, Lanin Thomasma; her mother, Deloris Bell of Steelville, MO; two daughters, Janneke (Brandon) Rodgers of Merritt Island, FL and Stefanie (Joe Raffurty) Thomasma of Blue Springs, MO; 3 grandchildren, Weston, Emmitt and Knox Rodgers; brothers, Dennis (Elaine) Bell, John (Melanie) Bell and Robert “Bob” (Kathy) Bell all of Steelville, MO; two sisters, Susan Bell of Steelville, MO and Lucy (Loren Whetsell) Bell of Warsaw, MO; her beloved dog, Sadie; nieces, nephews; other family members; co-workers; and friends.

A Celebration of Life was held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at the Steelville Presbyterian Church with Rev. Loren Whetsell officiating. Special music of "The Church is my Foundation", "Have Thine Own Way" and "I Can Only Imagine" was played. A poem "Adrift" written by Lanin was read by him. Memories were shared by family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Lifeline Pregnancy Care Center, Cuba, MO or Rusty’s Rescue Pets – City Pound of Steelville, MO c/o of Britton-Bennett Funeral Home.

The Thomasma Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home, Steelville, MO.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jean Marie (Bell) Thomasma, please visit our floral store.