Janet Rueter

Janet M. "Jan" Rueter, age 72 of Sauk Centre, lost her life after battling 3 ½ years of cancer. She died peacefully, surrounded by her family on Monday, January 23, 2012 at her home in Sauk Centre.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 28 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be at 6 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.

Janet M. Rueter was born February 15, 1939 in St. Cloud, Minnesota to Marie Toenyes. Jan's birth father died during his enlistment in WWII. Jan was raised by her grandparents, William and Antoinette Toenyes. Later in life, Jan's mother, Marie, married Bill Stuhr. On September 10, 1960 Jan married Joseph Rueter at St. Mary's Cathedral in St. Cloud. The couple lived in St. Cloud where Jan was a homemaker raising their three children and later working numerous jobs. When they moved to Freeport, she began work at Stearns Financial Leasing in Albany.Jan enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, fishing, playing cards and games, and spending time with her family. She also enjoyed traveling with Joe.

Jan was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose, Catholic United Financial, Christian Mothers in Freeport and in St. Cloud, and sang on the church choir at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport and St. Mary's Cathedral in St. Cloud.

Survivors include her husband, Joe Rueter of Sauk Centre; children, Geri (Karl) Meyer of Melrose, Sharon Rueter of Long Prairie, and Carolyn (Mike) Messer of Sauk Centre; grandchildren, Megan, Christopher and Kim Meyer, and Evan and Owen Messer.

Jan was preceded in death by her mother, Marie Stuhr; infant daughter, Kathleen Rueter; and infant son, Brian Rueter.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society in memory of Jan Rueter.

Serving as casket bearers will be Dick Rueter, Mike Messer, Jim Leyk, Tom Blommel, Keith Ritter, and Jerry Rueter. Cross bearer will be Evan Messer and scripture bearer will be Kim Meyer. Honorary bearers will be Karen Richter, Julie Primus, Mark Hollermann, and Gail Schlicht.