Jane Kullman
aka Jane the Bus Driver
September 4, 1936-April 18, 2021
84 years old

She was preceded in death by:
Kenneth Kullman
Parents:
Paul and Bertha Nerger
4 sisters:
Hazel Nerger
Joyce Rose
Pat Baugh
Jackie Kirchgatter
1 grandson:
Jacob Silva

She is survived by:
Brother:
Bob Nerger (Jo)
2 daughters:
Cheryl Whitt (Rodney) and Lora Silva
3 Grandchildren:
Michelle Smjeckal, Charllain Wuest; and Sarah Gales
Step Grandson:
Raymond Whitt
A handful of Great Grandchildren!
And many nieces, nephews and cousins!


Jane was born in Tracy, CA but raised in Tracy and Manteca.
She attended Mossdale Grammar School and attended Manteca High School.

During her younger years she worked on the family farm doing various jobs. Her main job growing up was cooking! And was she an excellent cook! She started out at a very young age cooking on a wood burning stove! Later in adulthood one of her past times became canning home grown fruits and vegetables.

She worked at The Scoop for several years working the grill, making milk shakes and serving coffee when it was only a dime!

She then became a bus driver at the age of 18. Both of her parents also worked for Manteca Unified School District.
The bus garage was then on Micksell Street. She was the first to drive the brand new 91 passenger bus. She participated for many years in Rodeos bringing home Trophies. She spent many Friday nights at various high school events, hauling the band students and instruments and sport teams too! She watched several generations of children grow up! Unfortunately due to an on the job accident she had to take a medical retirement. She drove approximately 38 years.

One of her favorite things to do was camping. The family went yearly and always to Clarks Fork. She took the children swimming, fishing and to the campfire shows. She fried and even smoked the trout that was caught and brought back to camp. She made new friends and organized dates for old friends to camp at the same time!

She was active in the raising of her two girls, and the neighborhood children, too. She would pile them in the car, as many as could squeeze in and take them Roller Skating in Modesto. She took them to bag onions to learn about hard work. They knocked walnuts for a friend and processed them, too. She took them to the Drive In Movie Theater in Stockton. They had accordion, judo, tap dance and swim lessons. And birthday parties too!

Jane played Bunco for way too many years to remember! Once a month a group of 12 women met. They played so many years that 2nd and even 3rd generations played too! Oh, all the snacks and secrets that were shared over all those years!

Bingo at the Manteca Senior Center and trips to Chicken Ranch , Jackson, Reno and Lake Tahoe were a few of her past time pleasures over the years! When they had the One Armed Bandits she worked the machines so hard, she would get a blister in the palm of her hand!

As time went on and the children left the home Jane took up crocheting. She learned to do extremely complicated patterns and her work was beautiful! Over the years she slowed down and enjoyed the easy life and her Great Grandchildren.

After having a stroke she lived at Bethany Home Skilled Nursing Facility for the last 3 1/2 years. She continued to enjoy Bingo with her new friends; along with the occasional hand of dominos! And she even could play an occasional game of slots on a television screen. But, she never could find that pay out button! Then Covid hit and everyone was confined to their rooms. She came home and finished the final year of her life at home with the loving care of family.

Her Family wishes to thank Bethany Home for their many years of loving care that was provided to her and her family. They also wish to thank Care One for their assistance to helping her adjust to home health care. And Seva Hospice for the care, comfort and support they provided in her final weeks of life. With special thanks to her personal CNA Maureen whom was always available and a phone call away and for her professional assistance and loving care she provided!

Jane The Bus Driver touched many, many lives and will be sorely missed. Her Chapel and Graveside services will be at Park View Cemetery, Friday, May 21, 2021 at 1:00 p.m.

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