Ruth Jane (Brennecke) Hecker

Ruth “Jane” Brennecke Hecker passed away on February 9, 2025, at 88 years of age in Collierville, TN, surrounded by loving family. A service will be held on February 13, 2025, at Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral Home at 1100 Iron Bridge Road. The visitation will begin at 10:30 and the funeral service will be at 11:30. Graveside service to follow.

Jane is survived by her husband of 66 years, Joseph Edwin Hecker, her five children, Cindy Brown (David), Laurie Whiteley (Andy), Missy Madere (David), Julie Boresow, and Brian Hecker (Candace). She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Ruth Brennecke, her sister, Patricia Welker, her son-in-law, Mark Boresow, and her great granddaughter, Eloise Holt. Jane and Joe have 14 grandchildren: Michael Madere, Jennifer (Lirette) and Jessica (Wyatt); Brandon Whiteley, Lindsey (Wells); Elizabeth Boresow, Emily (Holt), Matthew Boresow, Jacob Boresow, Samuel Brown, Melissa Brown, Joey Brown, Alexis (Ellsworth) and Abigail (Williams-Chaffin)  They have 27 great grandchildren, Annie, Mack, Ben, Charles, Max, Dominic, Leah, Amelie, Louis, Jane, Will, Adam, Landon, Chase, Aaron, Walker, Mark, Joseph, Alina, Philip, Julian, Cora, Maebry, Baylor, Beckett, Rhett and Silas.

Jane was born to Clarence and Ruth Brennecke on August 11, 1936, in Cape Girardeau, MO. She was the oldest of two daughters and was close to her sister, Pat Brennecke (Welker). Jane graduated from Jackson High School and attended the University of Missouri to become a registered nurse. It was there she met the love of her life, Joseph Hecker. They married in Jackson, Missouri in 1958. The couple lived for two years in Dallas while Joe was a physician in the Navy. The couple moved to Jackson in 1960 and then moved to Poplar Bluff where they made their home for 55 years. Jane was an avid bridge player, participating in a bridge club for more than 40 years. She volunteered at Doctor’s Hospital for many years. She is remembered as a loving mother; she thoroughly enjoyed watching her children grow up, get married and start their own families. She was a doting grandmother and great-grandmother and enjoyed watching her children in their role as parents. Jane and Joe were members of the Zion Lutheran Church. Jane was also a skilled crafter and spent many hours knitting, crocheting, embroidering, quilting, and sewing, making things for her children and grandchildren. Over the years, she filled her home and her children’s homes with many beautiful handmade decorations. There is comfort in knowing that she will be reunited with those who went before her where they can enjoy the many funny phrases, she was known for saying to herself, often mimicked by her grandchildren, such as “Oh, Jane”, “Well, I’ll be darned”.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Zion Lutheran Church at 450 N. Main Street, Poplar Bluff, MO. 63901

Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 13, 2025, from 10:30am-11:30am at Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral & Cremation Services in Poplar Bluff, MO. Funeral service will follow beginning at 11:30am with Pastor William Turner officiating. Burial will take place at the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery.

Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral & Cremation Services is honored to serve the family and friends of Mrs. Ruth Hecker. Online condolences can be made at www.cwrfcs.com.