Jane Bennett, age 79, of Sac City, IA, passed away on December 3, 2025, at UnityPoint St. Luke’s Hospital in Sioux City, IA. Melvina Jane Rench was born October 6, 1946, in the state of New Mexico to parents DeLoss and Melvina (Knox) Rench. She grew up in Sac City surrounded by the love—and lively bustle—of her eight siblings, and was the third of nine children. Jane graduated from Sac City High School and was later blessed with two children, Jon and Michelle.
On November 20, 1987, Jane married David Bennett in Storm Lake, IA. She worked and lived in Storm Lake for several years before returning home to Sac City.
Coming from a large family, Jane knew the importance of togetherness. Some of her fondest memories centered around Sundays at her parents’ home, where her father cooked a big breakfast for anyone who walked through the door—long after all the children were grown with families of their own. After her parents’ passing, Jane lovingly carried on this tradition. Every Sunday morning, her home became the gathering place: a warm, welcoming kitchen full of good food, card games, and the easy comfort of family being together.
Jane was the heart that kept her family connected. She honored traditions, made holidays and ordinary days special, and never stopped showing up for the people she loved.
Jane volunteered her time at the local outreach center for several years and at the nursing home, always ready to help others. She had a knack for finding joy in simple things and was known as a “thrift store queen”—forever hunting for treasures and picking out items she just knew someone else would love. She was also an amazing cook.
Jane was always on the go, visiting, chatting, and being social wherever she went. She enjoyed watching sci-fi shows as much as Hallmark movies, loved wearing fancy hats, and adored her cat, Boots.
She will be remembered for her generosity, her quick smile, her open-door hospitality, and the way she made every person feel like part of her family. Her legacy lives on in the traditions she kept, the meals she shared, and the countless acts of kindness she offered throughout her life.
Survivors include her son, Jon (Janelle) Rench of Waterloo, IA, and daughter Michelle (BJ) Tate of Sac City, IA; grandchildren Rebecca (David) White of TX, Shannon (Casey) Marsh of Waterloo, IA, Jeff (Jess) Rench of Sac City, IA, Alyssa (Luke) Ernsbarger of Lytton, IA, Matt Rench (Alex) of AZ, Cody (Amanda) Menke of Sac City, IA, Kyle Menke of Nevada, IA, Aaliyah Clousing of Sac City, IA, Brianna, and Tristyn Tate both of Sac City, IA, great-grandchildren: Kinnick, Kobyn, Kaneyn, and Piper White, Carter and Berkley Marsh, Kylie, Melodee, Easton, and Claire Rench, Weston Ernsbarger, Brayden, Aubrey, and Harper Menke, Kendryx Hilburn, Jazmine, Jozlynn, Ashley, and Shae Harper; brothers Jerry (Linda) Rench of Palestine, TX, Tom (Jennifer) Rench of LaVista, NE, and Donnie (Joni) Rench of Norwalk, IA; sisters-in-law Marilyn Rench of Thronton, CO, Pat Rench of Milbank, SD, Barb Rench of Sac City, IA, Sandra Rivera and Mona (Oscar) Grimaldo all of of Sioux City, IA ; brothers-in-law Alvin Bush and Arnold (Lori) Bush all of Sioux City, IA, and Randy Eick of Johnson City, TN; numerous nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.
Jane was preceded in death by her parents, DeLoss and Melvina Rench; husband Dave Bennett; brothers DeLoss, Danny, and Bill Rench; sisters Marilyn (Doug) Geery and Kathy (Gene) Martin; nephew Adam Martin; and sisters-in-law Peg Bush and Marchell Eick.
