Ruth Argean Janey

Ruth Argean Janey

Ruth Argean Janey

Marengo

Ruth Argean Janey went to meet Jesus on March 19, 2023, at the age of 92. She was a lovely woman with an infectious laugh whose artistic success with oils and watercolors adorns the walls of many homes in Eastern Iowa, as well those of her family and friends. She showed great resilience throughout her life, bouncing back from many disappointments and challenges. At every stage of her life, she found joy in reinventing herself. She did so with a variety of activities from being a member of the Aquarelles synchronized swimmers who performed in Cedar Rapids and regionally, to being a waitress at the diner in the lower level of Killian’s and later at The Pine Inn where she met her late husband, Robert Janey, with whom she had three more sons. She learned as an adult if you can change the way you think about your circumstances, your feelings will follow.

She worked as a motor route paper carrier for the Cedar Rapids Gazette, delivering the news through all the inclement weather that Eastern Iowa is known for and, at the same time, hosted large parties for cast members from many high school musicals and shows her teenage sons were in as well as their graduations.

Later in life she helped one of her adult sons run a picturesque, historic Hotel Manning in Keosauqua, Iowa, and went out of her way to make every guest and employee feel like they were part of something important. In her late 50s she started a career as a real estate agent with Century 21, helping many in Eastern Iowa live out their own American dream, and in her 80s, she was a weekly singer at Ramsey’s in Marion where she regaled regulars with her renditions of hits from the days of her youth.

Her flare and love of life was transferred into the lives of her sons and daughter. By her first husband, Leo Stolba, son Kurt Stolba, who preceded her in death, and daughter Teresa Stolba. With Robert Janey, three sons, Brian, Edgar and Bradley Janey, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Family, extended family and friends are invited on Aug. 6, 2023, to join us at Red Cedar Lodge in Wanatee Park, Marion, at 1 p.m. to celebrate her life and the passion with which she lived it with a couple of her favorite things: music and food. Please RSVP to ruth@janeyfam.com if you plan to attend.

Online condolences: www.klosterfuneralhome.com.

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