Published on March 22, 2026 7:24 pm
Last Updated on March 22, 2026 7:24 pm
Ruth Theresa (Koebele) Jansen, age 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 before the mass in the parish center. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Dieterich, Illinois. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com.
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: 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; 30 Grandchildren and 52 Great Grandchildren; Siblings – Gene (Jan) Koebele of Effingham, Illinois; Stelle (Bob) Smithenry of Newton, Illinois; Millie Grasselli of Newton, Illinois; Sister-in-law – Marilyn Koebele of Island Grove, Illinois; 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.