Ruth Theresa (Koebele) Jansen, 90, of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 2:39 PM Friday, March 20, 2026, at Helia Healthcare of Newton.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Island Grove, Illinois, with Father Juan Carlos Ruiz, OFM, celebrating mass. The burial will be in Saint Joseph Cemetery in Island Grove, Illinois. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the church and again 9:30 to 10:30 AM on Wednesday, before the mass in the parish center. In loving memory of Ruth, memorials may be made to the Community Support Systems or Catholic Charities. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Dieterich, Illinois.
Ruth was born on August 1, 1935, in Island Grove, Illinois, the daughter of Raymond and Clara (Cohorst) Koebele. She married Richard George Jansen on August 18, 1954, at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Island Grove, Illinois, and he preceded her in death on April 17, 2004.
Ruth was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She and Rich worked alongside each other for many years on their dairy farm, north of Lis, in Jasper County. Later after her children were grown, she worked at McDonald’s and Weber Jewelry.
Ruth was a lifelong member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Island Grove, where she taught religion for many years. She was also a member of Saint Anthony’s Hospital auxiliary and spent countless hours volunteering her time. She enjoyed playing cards and was an avid Saint Louis Cardinals fan.
Ruth is survived by her children Connie (Steve) Holkenbrink of Teutopolis, Illinois, Cindy (Gene) Deters of Teutopolis, Illinois, Sue (Tom) Swingler of Montrose, Illinois, Dave (Pam) Jansen of Newton, Illinois, Mike (Amanda) Jansen of Mahomet, Illinois and Amy (Andrew) Weisser of Watsonville, California, daughter-in-law Ronda Jansen of Dieterich, Illinois, 30 grandchildren and 52 great grandchildren, siblings Gene (Jan) Koebele of Effingham, Illinois, Stelle (Bob) Smithenry of Newton, Illinois and Millie Grasselli of Newton, Illinois, sister-in-law Marilyn Koebele of Island Grove, Illinois and brother-in-law Bob Althoff of Effingham, Illinois
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sons Richard Leo “Rick” Jansen and Daniel Gene “Dan” Jansen, grandchildren Chad Swingler, Mitchell Swingler and Joseph Deters, sisters Geraldine Althoff and Delores Bierman, brothers George Koebele and Clete Koebele and brother-in-law Franco Grasselli.
Comments