Jane Miene

Jane C. Miene, 75, of Waukon died Saturday, April 23, 2022 at her home. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, April 27 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Waukon with Pastor Duane Smith officiating. Burial of ashes will be in Zalmona Presbyterian Church Cemetery in rural Waukon.

Friends may greet the family from 10 a.m. until the time of services Wednesday at the church. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Jane Carol Miene was born September 17, 1946 in Postville, the daughter of Elmer and Eunice (Kruger) Shafer. She was a lifelong member of Zalmona Presbyterian Church in rural Waukon, where she was baptized, confirmed and married; she also attended First Baptist Church more recently.

After graduating from Waukon High School, Jane received her cosmetology license from La James College of Hairstyling in Mason City. June 5, 1965, she married Arvey Gene Miene; they lived in Mason City for about four years before returning to Waukon to farm and raise her family. They later divorced.

Jane was very ambitious and held several jobs consecutively. In 1977, Jane became a school bus driver for Allamakee Community Schools, driving for 45 years. In addition, she owned Jane’s Beauty Salon until 2006. Jane earned her CNA and CMA and was employed at Makee Manor and Northgate Care Center. She also worked as a waitress and cleaned multiple homes in the area. In 1988, she met Wayne Ruroden and they were together for over 30 years until he passed away in 2019.

Jane shared her artistic talents through painting and quilting for family and friends. She was an amazing seamstress, making clothes and baby blankets; she loved quilting and made multiple special quilts for family and was heavily involved with making Quilts of Valor for local veterans.

Jane loved gardening, growing many varieties of flowers, especially lilies. She was known to take road trips to find special kinds of flowers. Jane made several quilt and flower arrangement entries in the county fair and was proud of her “Best in Show” and first place awards. She also enjoyed playing cards, watching cardinals, and liked circus-related shows, especially magicians and the carousel room at the House on the Rock.

Though she was fiercely independent, Jane loved spending time with her family, from hosting holidays, going camping with the grandkids, or attending their many school activities. She took several vacations with her children (which may have included some wild times in Las Vegas). She always had a faithful dog by her side throughout her life, but none more so than her current pup, Penny.

She is survived by her three children: Vickie Miene of Iowa City, Scott (Maria) Miene of Waukon and Karrie (Don) Zidlicky of Lansing; three grandchildren: Colin (Jeff Holt) Zidlicky, Cody (Cassey Urell) Zidlicky and Carter (Jaydon Snitker) Zidlicky; her sister, Sandy (Wayne) Fish of Waukon; her great-grandchildren: Ben Miene and Davis and Anderson Unsen; her nieces, Debra (Mark) Palmer and Wanda (Dan) Brown; many great-nieces and great-nephews and great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews; and her loyal dog, Penny.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents; her soulmate, Wayne Ruroden; and an aunt, Norma (Shafer) Kruger. Jane’s grandchildren will serve as honorary urnbearers. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.