Jan (Bergmann) Rueckert

Jan Rueckert, 94, of Columbus Junction, passed away Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at Colonial Manor in Columbus Junction. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2022, at the Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral and Cremation Services of Columbus Junction. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 20, 2022 at the funeral home. A private interment will be held at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Waterloo, IA. A memorial fund has been established at the funeral home in memory of Jan.  Online condolences may be left at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.

Janola Darlene was born January 6, 1928 in Plainfield, the daughter of Fred and Doris (Hirsch) Bergmann. She proudly graduated from Frederika High School. Jan was united in marriage to Merle Anthony Rueckert on May 7, 1950 in Seigel, Iowa.

Jan worked as telephone operator in Waterloo for many years. She also worked for Smylie’s Sale Barn, Bob Schlutz Enterprises and ran Rueckert & Son Sanitation in Columbus Junction. She was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Washington and the First Lutheran Church in Waterloo. She was active with the Columbus Junction Booster Club and an avid member of the Cedarcrest Country Club. Jan enjoyed playing cards with her card club, bowling and golfing. She loved sports and was always in attendance at her children and grandchildren’s sporting events. She was the girls basketball chaperone alongside Coach Austin and sat in the mid-court, front row spot in the Columbus Junction gymnasium for many years, supporting all of the athletes.

Jan will be deeply missed by her children: Steve Rueckert of Granby, CO; Mark (Christy) Rueckert of Columbus Junction, IA; and Tammy Virzi of Columbus Junction, IA; daughter-in-law, Terri Rueckert of Longmont, CO; grandchildren: Golden (Denise) Rueckert, Dylan (Betsy) Rueckert, Travis (Robyn) Rueckert, Shae (Ryan) Curtis, Matt (Kelli) Rueckert and Lindsay Rueckert; and great-grandchildren: Jack, Clayton, Madelyn, Caden, Camille and Callen.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 1997; son-in-law, Ellery Virzi; brothers: Lester, Loren and Lyle Bergmann; and sister, Alveda Thurm.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jan (Bergmann) Rueckert, please visit our floral store.