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Jan Rutledge
JAN RUTLEDGE
Iowa City
Jan Rutledge, 71, of Iowa City, passed away at her home on Oct. 6, 2021.
In lieu of a service, her family encourages those who knew her to share a memory or photo of Jan at www.lensingfuneral.com. Upon Jan's request, memorial donations may be made in her memory to Iowa Legal Aid Foundation, 1111 Ninth St., Suite 230, Des Moines, IA 50314.
Janice Emma Rutledge was born on Sept. 16, 1950, in Clinton, Iowa, to Margaret Schatz and Talmage Rutledge. After working as an English teacher at Linn-Mar High School she pursued law school graduating from The University of Iowa with her J.D. in 1982. She married David Ulrick on July 24, 1982, in Iowa City at the Danforth Chapel. The couple settled in Iowa City and enjoyed 39 adventurous and memorable years together. Through their marriage, Jan gained three stepchildren whom she loved as her own.
Jan's lasting legacy was her nearly 40 years as an attorney with Iowa Legal Aid. Jan was instrumental in establishing Iowa Legal Aid's housing advocacy, litigating federal court cases, and continuing to serve as an expert in this area throughout her tenure. Jan never hesitated to remind us, a full and fair education is perhaps the most potent tool there is for breaking the chains of generational poverty.
Jan enjoyed gardening, cooking, traveling, reading and truly lived to learn. Living a natural, healthy life was important to her and she enjoyed sharing her knowledge of holistic living. She had a deep love for her rescued pets and considered them family. Jan was involved in local politics as a lifelong Democrat. She had a genuine love to help others and was happiest when doing so.
She is survived by her mother, Margaret Newell of Iowa City, Iowa; her husband David Ulrick of Iowa City, Iowa; her sister Arna (Tom) Rutledge of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; her children; Kristine (Dan) Parsons of Ames, Iowa, Kelly (Scott) Blackledge of Park Rapids, Minn., and Michael Ulrick of Ft. Collins, Colo.; three grandchildren, Christopher Parsons, Sarah Parsons and DJ (Dottie) Parsons; two great-grandchildren, Lettie and Paisley; two stepbrothers, Blaine and Mark Newell; and many extended family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father and stepfather, as well as her treasured dog, Skipper.
A complete obituary can be found www.lensingfuneral.com
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