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Colleen Janko
COLLEEN JANKO
Shellsburg
Colleen Marie (Melcher) Janko, 49, passed away Friday, July 14, 2017.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 19, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Vinton with Father Ardel Barta as celebrant. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home, Vinton, and after 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Burial: Oakwood Cemetery, Shellsburg. A memorial Mass also will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 22, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Monona.
Colleen Marie Melcher was born May 23, 1968, in Prairie du Chien, Wis., to Robert and Joyce (Miller) Melcher. After graduating from M-F-L in Monona, where she was an outstanding basketball and softball athlete, she received her BSN degree from Viterbo University. On May 24, 2003, she was united in marriage with Robb Janko at St. Mary Catholic Church in Vinton. Colleen worked as a registered nurse for 27 years at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids.
She was a member of St. Mary Church in Vinton. She enjoyed fishing, cooking, going for walks, watching MMA fighting, the Cubs and Hawkeyes, and, most importantly, time with family.
She is survived by her husband, Robb, and son, Caleb, of Shellsburg; her parents, Robert and Joyce Melcher, Monona; her siblings, Elizabeth Melcher, Davenport, Michael (Karen) Melcher, Mission, Texas, Kevin (Kristin) Melcher, Ankeny, her twin, Carla (Corey) Pester, Monona, and Lori (Phillip) Travis, Shellsburg; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Richard and Marvel Jean Janko, Cedar Rapids; sister-in-law, Lori (Gene) Eckermann, Omaha, Neb; nieces and nephews, Brandon and Jake Melcher, Katelyn and Kyle Melcher, Cayden and Carsten Pester, Cole, Cali and Cari Travis, and Jessica and Ryan Rivera; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Harlin and Ethel Miller and Earl and Helen Melcher; aunt and uncle, Marlys and Leonard Seitz; and cousin, Dawn Novak.
A memorial fund has been established.
Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home is caring for Colleen and her family.
Condolences may be left at vsrfh.com.
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