Jane Engelmann
August 27, 1953 ~ July 4, 2021
Jane “Janie” LuAnn (Leckner) Engelmann, 67, of Aberdeen and formerly of Miller, passed away Sunday, July 4, 2021, surrounded by family and dogs at her daughters' home in Rosemount, MN after a courageous battle with lung cancer.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, July 16, 2021, at United Methodist Church, Miller with Rev. Teresa Whetsel officiating. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 15, 2021, followed by a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, all at Reck Funeral Home, Miller.
Janie was born August 27, 1953, to Robert (Bob) and Dorothy Leckner in Miller, SD. Janie attended school in Miller for the full twelve years, graduating in 1971. She enrolled at SDSU for one year before going to nursing school, graduating as an LPN. She was united in marriage to Gene Engelmann in 1974, and had two children, Shawn and Ashley. She worked in Miller at the hospital until early 1985 when the family moved to Aberdeen, SD. While working full time, Janie advanced her nursing career, getting her bachelors RN degree. Janie absolutely loved nursing and it showed with respect from doctors, co-workers, and patients with whom many lasting friendships still remain. She worked, first, at Dakota Midland Hospital and later transferred to St. Luke’s, both in Aberdeen. While at St. Luke’s, she worked in the oncology and urology departments before moving to critical care PACU for nearly 40 years, retiring in 2015.
Janie enjoyed traveling, meeting new people, attending concerts, entertaining friends and family, cooking and spoiling her grandson. Her greatest obsession was dogs, any dogs, all dogs. On her 60th birthday Janie and Gene went to the Best Friends Society in Kanab, Utah to volunteer work services for rescue dogs. There was always at least one dog in the house with (at one time seven), several being rescue dogs. Never a limit and always an open invitation.
Grateful for having shared Janie’s life are her husband of 47 years, Gene; her son, Shawn (Andrea) Engelmann; her daughter, Ashley (Krishna) Singh and their son Bodhi; and siblings: Jim (Connie) Leckner and Bobbi (Gary) Larson, and all her beloved nieces and nephews and their families.
Janie is preceded in death by her parents: Bob and Dorothy; infant grandchild, Emery Engelmann; and nephews: James Leckner, Chet and Todd Danburg.
Memorial contributions can be made to any local animal shelter/humane society.
Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Jane's arrangements.
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So sorry to hear of your loss she was a great girl
I am so sorry to hear this . I ran into her outside the hospital in Aberdeen when my dad was there. She had such a kind presence. It was good to see her and talk a bit about our memories of Miller . She had a brightness . May you all find peace ❤️
Janie’s skills as a nurse, her beautiful spirit, her kindness to all, and her wonderful since of humor will be sorely missed by all.
Janie loved her family so much!!
With our deepest sympathy and love,
Larry and Seaton
She will be missed, we enjoyed her company when we would visit.
Will not be the same without her.
Sorry for your loss
Sorry for your loss.
Our Deepest Sympathy
Dick and Kathy Splichal
We are SO sorry to hear about Jane. I worked with Jane at hospital in Miller for several years. She was a good nurse and friend. Praying for her family as you go through this difficult time.
My deepest sympathy for your loss. May the family find peace and strength at this time.
Sad to hear of Janie’s passing. Many fond memories of our adventures together, especially at the pool in Benson. We’ll never forget the good times.
How Janie and I met was a story she loved to tell. Ernie & I stayed in the same RV Park as Gene & Janie, in 2015. Gene and Janie were in the street, talking with neighbors, (unbeknownst to us, getting ready to go out to eat. I had several wine bottles in hand. (Janie added a bottle every time she told the story) and in my defense, at least one of the bottles was empty, destined for the trash (and she always left that part out). She sees me, and let's out a "whoo-hoo". I responded, "whoo-hoo" and i knew I found my people. We each respectively bought park models in that RV Park and became next door neighbors. We became walking partners. We talked and laughed incessantly. We went to the pool. And we shared Happy Hours and potlucks. If you left Janie's house hungry, it really was your own fault. We've been to their home in SD. They've been to our house in Wyoming. She was my friend, and then, just like that, my family. She is loved. I will miss her, but I know she gained wings and i just bet she's in charge of the Rainbow Bridge. Fly high my friend!
My sincere sympathy to the family of Jane Engelmann.🙏🙏
We are so sorry for your loss. She so loved her family. Prayers up.
We are so sorry to hear about Janes passing. We always enjoyed visiting with her and Gene in Benson. Jane always had a smile and a great sense of humor. Our condolences to Gene and her family.
Bonnie and Barry
With profound grief and a heavy heart I am at a loss of words for the irreparable loss….,for the vacuum created by the beautiful soul who left such beautiful memories …We offer our prayers and Love to the beloved …RIP
Gene and Family, I was so saddened to hear of Janie's passing. I know that she has left behind a lifetime of happy memories that can never be taken away. My deepest condolences.
My heart breaks for you. Janie was one in a million, & will be sorely missed!! I just know she's working the Rainbow Bridge, taking really good care of the many sick or injured dogs who are çrossing over!
I am so sorry to hear the news of Janie's passing. She was a wonderful spirit,kind, sensitive,caring. RIP, my friend.
My deepest condolences to the Englemann and Leckner families! When I think of Janie, it reminds me of many good times in Miller, S.D. many years ago!
Sounds like she grew up to be a terrific person and had a wonderful life! May she Rest In Peace! Blessings to Jim and Bobbi Lyn.
So sorry for your loss. Jane was an inspiration to me during our year of nursing school. She always gave me a lift back to Miller and I had better be ready as soon as Friday classes were done! She wouldn’t let me give her gas money , guess she knew I was penniless! She was a gem. I greatly admired her and she encouraged me to keep on when classes at school got tough. God be with you all. 🙏🏻
So sorry to hear of Jane’s passing. Please accept our condolences to you and the family. Her wonderful smile will be missed.