Jan Rutter

Janet L. Rutter, known affectionately to those who loved her as "Auntie Jan," passed away peacefully on March 31, 2026. Born in Freeport on October 5, 1953, Jan spent her seventy-two years proving that the smallest acts of kindness often leave the deepest imprints.

A woman of dedication and strong work ethic, Jan was a long-term employee of MetLife and General Casualty. Throughout her career, she was respected by colleagues for her reliability and the gentle, caring presence she brought to her professional life.

A woman of steadfast faith, Jan was a longtime member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, where she found community and purpose. However, her ministry extended far beyond the church pews; it was found in the wagging tails and grateful eyes of the countless animals she championed throughout her life.

Jan was a lifelong advocate for the voiceless. She didn’t just love animals; she was a fierce protector of them. Whether through her consistent support of local shelters or her personal mission to ensure un-adopted pets felt the warmth of human compassion, Jan’s life was a masterclass in empathy. She lived by the belief that no creature was too small to be worthy of dignity and care.

To her family and friends, Jan was the embodiment of a "caring soul." She moved through the world with a gentle persistence, teaching everyone around her the most vital lesson a human can learn: the radical importance of being kind.

Jan is preceded in death by her beloved parents, Royce and Gerry Rutter, and her cherished niece, Penny Rutter.

Her legacy of compassion is carried on by her brother, Dan Rutter; her sister-in-law, Nancy Rutter; and her nephew, Jeffery Rutter. She joins those who went before her, likely greeted by a chorus of four-legged friends she helped along the way.

Memorial arrangements are currently pending and will be determined at a later date.

In honor of Jan’s spirit, the family suggests that in lieu of flowers, you perform an unexpected act of kindness or make a donation to your local animal shelter, just as Auntie Jan would have done. 

Condolences can be left for the family at www.walkermortuary.com