Jane Birgen, age 71, of Madison, passed away peacefully at the Dougherty Hospice House on Thursday, April 2, 2026 in Sioux Falls.
Memorial mass will be at 10:30 AM on Friday, April 10th at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church with Father Anthony Urban as the Celebrant. Visitation will be 4-6 PM on Thursday at Rustand-Weiland Funeral Chapel with a prayer service at 6 PM followed by a Rosary. Visitation will continue from 9:30-10:15 AM on Friday at the funeral chapel followed by procession to the church for mass. Inurnment will be in St. Thomas Cemetery immediately after mass.
Jane Ellen Birgen was born in Madison, SD on December 1, 1954 to Joseph & Mary Ann (Kribell) Birgen. She graduated from Madison High School in 1973. She married Kelly Raethz on November 17, 1973 in Madison. They moved to Crofton, NE for one year and then moved back. Jane worked as a CNA for many years at various facilities in Madison, but her last 20 years were at Bethel Lutheran Home. Jane loved to sew, crochet, read, bake and most of all, spending time with her family.
Jane is survived by her three children, Chris (Emily) Raethz of Florence, SD, Kari (James) Booze of Madison and Philip (Nicole) Raethz of Humboldt, SD; nine grandchildren and two great-grandsons; seven siblings, Ann Grad of Sioux Falls, Rita (Paul) Ray of Thomasville, GA, Tim (Rose) Birgen of Madison, Laura Palmer of Madison, Mike Birgen of Winfred, Dan Birgen of Shakopee, MN, Bob (Sandi) Birgen of Wyoming and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Jim Birgen and sister, Donna Reinicke.
