Jane Ann Rusch

Our Mom was called to heaven on Tuesday, July 5, 2022.

Jane Ann Rusch, 84, died suddenly, but peacefully at Bellin Memorial Hospital, with her family by her side.

Jane was born in Oconto to Elmer and Beulah Johnston. She shared her early years with brothers, Bill and Jack who watched over their little sister after their mother died of cancer when Jane was 11.

Meeting the love of her life in her early teens, Jane married Walter A. Rusch, who preceded her in death on Feb. 21, 2022. They would have celebrated 67 years of marriage in March this year, they now celebrate their new life in heaven.

Together, mom and dad quicky accumulated a house full of kids made up of six girls and three boys. Mom was the facilitator of life in our household. Jane was by Dad’s side while he built a successful trucking business, kept our home, and raised us to be strong individuals. She had a way of making everyone she met feel as if they could accomplish anything. Mom had the ability to always push us to be our best, even when we were at our worst, guiding with a firm hand that always had an equal amount of gentle.

Jane is survived by her children, daughters Dawn (Steve), Karen (Chris), Janice (Mike) LuAnn (Ken) and Jennifer (Jon), sons Kevin (Chris), Billy (Kelly) and Darren. She is also survived by her sister-in law, Rellen Hayes (Chuck), with whom she had a special bond, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 67 years, Walter A. Rusch, daughter Debra, son Mark, brothers William and Jack, grandsons Christopher and Zachery.

Our family thanks the kind and generous staff at Bellin Hospital, and especially Dr. Manar Alshahrouri, who took time to talk, listen and treat Mom with the utmost kindness and compassion.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, from 2 until 7 p.m. at Jones Funeral Service in Oconto Falls, with a service of remembrance to follow at 7 p.m.