Janet Rae Brungardt

Janet Rae Brungardt, age 74, of Knoxville, IA, passed away on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at her home in Knoxville, under the care of Hospice of Pella. Janet was born on September 10, 1951, in Knoxville, IA to Milo and Delores (Dickinson) Umble. She grew up attending school and graduated from the Knoxville High School with the Class of 1968. Janet married LeRoy Brungardt in Independence, MO, and he preceded her in death in 2014. Janet worked at Pella Corp. in Pella before managing Casey's stores for several years. Janet was an excellent cook and baker, well-known for her beef pepper steak, beef and noodles, and her famous bread pudding. She had a special talent for decorating wedding cakes and making Christmas candies. Janet loved the outdoors, especially tending her vegetable garden and canning the harvest. She also enjoyed games like Phase 10, Yahtzee, and chess-a game she taught her son to play. She was the "fun mom," always ready for an adventure, from taking her kids to concerts like REO Speedwagon and Motley Crue to piling them and their friends into the car for Friday and Saturday night skating in Pella. Her kids' friends often thought of her as a second mom. More than anything, Janet treasured time spent with her family. Janet is survived by her daughter, Brenda (Jeramy) Payer; her ex-husband, James Thomas; 5 grandchildren, Zach (Danielle), Zoe, Joseph, Liliana, and Madelyn; 1 great grandchild, Zaharah; a niece, Davina; and a daughter-in-law, Tina Thomas. She is preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy Brungardt; her parents, Milo and Delores Umble; a son, James Michael Thomas; a brother, Mike Umble; a sister, Peggy Smith; and a nephew, Randy Brooks. Per Janets's wishes, her body has been cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Cards of condolences/memorials can be sent to Janet's family c/o Tharp Funeral Home, 116 Benton Ave. West, Albia, IA 52531.