Janene Rose Ruttkay aged 57, passed away unexpectedly on July 23, 2026, in Sioux City, Iowa.

Janene was born to Richard and Sally Ruttkay on December 31, 1968, in Sioux City Iowa. She was one of the first recipients of the Sioux City Easterseals in her youth. She attended Sioux City public schools graduating from North High School in 1988. She attended Iowa Lakes Community College and in her early adult years, she lived in Emmetsburg, Iowa and Minneapolis, Minnesota for 15 years before returning home and settling down and making her life in Sioux City, Iowa.

She was employed by contracting cleaning services where she cleaned MidAmerican Energy, Tera Chemical and Security National Bank offices and buildings for more than 20 years before her recent retirement.

She was an avid reader, enjoyed watching NASCAR, listening to Ozzy Osborn, watching movies and drew great pleasure in collecting, organizing and accessorizing her large collection of dolls. She was a Minnesota Vikings fan (much to the dismay of her father Richard, who was an unwavering Green Bay Packer fan) and enjoyed bringing him to task anytime the Vikings beat the Packers.

She had a giving heart and kind spirit and would never hesitate to help a friend in need. She loved all animals and was particularly fond of dogs, cats and guinea pigs. She found genuine joy in life’s simple pleasures, and her face would light up whenever she shared stories about the things she loved. Whether talking about a new book, a recent out-of-town trip, or the latest addition to her doll collection, her enthusiasm was heartfelt and contagious.

She loved her family and treasured her time spent with them.

Left to cherish her memory are her loving family including her mother Sally Ruttkay of Hinton, lowa, brothers Bradley (Teri) Ruttkay of Sioux City, Daniel (Paula) Ruttkay of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, sisters Marla ((Lynn) Patrick of Ft. Meyer, Florida, LeAnn (Michael) Carter of Hinton, Iowa, Shawna (Randy) Scofield of Sioux City, Iowa, Elizabeth (Jerry) Graves of Sioux City, Iowa, and Dawn (Todd) Langhoff of Forney, Texas, many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and many friends.

Janene is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents Lee Martin and Esther Martin-Haberman, paternal grandparents: Ivan and Elsie Ruttkay, her father Richard Ruttkay, a brother James Ruttkay, nephews Joshua Patrick and Devin Graves and, great nephew David Angel Lozano. Her final arrangements are being handled by Meyer Brothers Chapel on Stone Park Blvd in Sioux City, Iowa. Interment will be conducted at Graceland cemetery in Howard, South Dakota where she will be laid to rest amongst her family. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.