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Maxine Rukas Obituary
Maxine Susan (Kneipper) Rukas born July 30, 1917, in Batavia, Ill., passed away Friday, Aug. 14 (2009) at Rush-Copley Medical Center.
She spent most of her life in Aurora, Ill. graduating from Madonna Catholic High School and the St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing. On August 16, 1941, she married Anthony Rukas, an Aurora policeman. She was a servant of the Lord first of all, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be dearly missed by her family and many friends.
She enjoyed many bingo, casino, bowling and golf years living in Harrison and Loveland, Colo. with her daughters.
Survivors include her five children, Carol and husband, Bill Doemland of Montgomery, Ill., Marcia and husband, Jerry Goss of Loveland, Colo., Anthony and wife, Bonnie Rukas of Aurora, Ill., Mary Crockett of Diamond City and Nan Jean and husband, Dana Cramer of Loveland, Colo.; 15 grandchildren, Carla Sue and husband, Mark Poss of Big Rock, Ill., David and wife, Erica Doemland of Telluride, Colo., Jeanne and husband, Bob Snow of Colorado Springs, Colo., Michael and wife, Tamie Goss of Merino, Colo., Karen and husband, Eli Wallace of Lyons, Colo., Christine and husband Darrin Dallegge of Sterling, Colo., Stacy Rukas of Aurora, Ill., Brian and wife, Jenny Rukas of Cedarburg, Wis., Karen and husband, Kier Breckon of Grand Rapids, Mich., Terrence Rukas of San Diego, Calif., Robert Conner of Aurora, Colo., Joseph and wife, Melanie Crockett of Harrison, Shaana and husband, Jeff Ellis of Centennial, Colo., Katherine Cramer of Loveland, Colo. and Elizabeth and husband, David Walkup of Eaton, Colo.; and 24 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her faithful, loving husband Anthony Rukas, Sr. on January 1, 1970; her parents, Nicholas and Elizabeth (Lorenz) Kneipper; and eight brothers and sisters.
Visitation and funeral services were held Tuesday, Aug. 18, at The Daleiden Mortuary in Aurora, Ill. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Church, P.O. Box 4395 Aurora, Ill. 60505; Jennings Terrace, 275 South LaSalle Street Aurora, Ill. 60505 or to the charity of the donor's choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Maxine Rukas
Neil Olin
August 26, 2009
Tony, my deepest sympathy. Your Mom was a very dear friend and a sweetheart.
S. Philomen Reiland
August 25, 2009
Dear Carol, Marcia, Tony, Mary, and Nan Jean,
You all have my prayers and sympathy on hearing of the loss of your Mom. She was a great lady, had a wonderful sense of humor, and was part of "the village" that it takes to raise a family, as those of us who grew up in the Sacred Heart Parish neighborhood know. I remember her singing alto and directing the choir in Church as my Mom played the organ. Those were fun days, and a good place for kids to grow up in. Most of the Sisters that she knew from Sacred Heart School have all died, with the exception of S. Rose Beatrice, S. Rita Anne, S. Loretta Jasper, S. Rita Plant, S. Mary Faith, and a few more who were there in the last years that the Sisters of St. Joseph were at Sacred Heart School. May you be at peace with knowing she lived a good, full, and long life of giving to others in the spirit of Jesus. With daily remembrance in prayers,
Martha Ford
August 19, 2009
To The Rukas Family, My sincere sympathies in your loss of Aunt Maxine. May you find comfort in knowing that she lived a long and full life, making each moment count. I have very fond memories of her coming to Grandpa Kneipper's for visits. Those 2 together were a riot; I think them being so much alike (with the same twinkle in their eyes) made for interesting conversation and was quite entertaining to watch. She will be missed, but hopefully her being at peace will be a comfort to all of you. With Much Love, Martha Ford & Family.
Sharon Jacob Hudson
August 17, 2009
Tony,
I was so sorry to hear about your mom. It has been many, many years, but when I saw this I had to let you know that you have my sincere sympathy. May you always remember the wonderful times you had with your mom. With deepest sympathy, Sharon Jacob Hudson
Sharon Jacob Hudson
August 17, 2009
Tony, my sincere sympathies at the loss of your mom. It's been a long time but when i saw this I had to at least send this and hope you will always remember the wonderful times with your mom.
WIth sincere sympathy, Sharon Jacob Hudson
Pam Gantz
August 17, 2009
Tony, Carol, Marcia, my thoughts are with all of you, many good times at the house on Fulton Street, a great street, as we would know. The old street is getting together the neighbors more and more. Pam (Cate) Gantz
JACK CUNNINGFHAM
August 17, 2009
HAVING LIVED ON FULTON STREET DURING MY YOUTH, I HAD THE BENEFIT OF KNOWING MRS AND MR RUKAS. THEY WERE A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HONEST , HARD WORKING AURORANS. MY PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU AT THIS TIME OF GREAT LOSS.
Ron and Mary Anne (O'Connor) Zelelr
August 17, 2009
Rukas Family ~ what wonderful memories I have of your family from Fulton Street. When I look back we were a lucky bunch of kids. I remember your mom so well and the warmth she always had for all of us neighborhood kids. Your wonderful memories of her will bring you great joy. Ron and Mary Anne (O'Connor) Zeller
Pete and Karen Dickes
August 16, 2009
Dear Rukas family,
Karen and I are saddened by your mother's death. She was such a wonderfull and classy lady. Our prayers are with you and your extended family.
Pat Albright/Vieira
August 16, 2009
Dear Tony & all the Rukas Family
My thoughts & prayers go out to you and your family during this time of great sorrow. I remember well our years at Sacred Heart School together. Time will heal the sadness and the memories will always be there to help you through.
Pat (Albright) Vieira
Betty (Joseph) Allway
August 16, 2009
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Christine & Don Thill
August 15, 2009
Dear Bonnie, Tony and the entire Rukas extended family,
Please accept our prayers and sympathy on the loss of your mom. My memories of your mom are many. I will always remember her voice in the Sacred Heart choir, (she sang at our wedding 46 years ago) her kind nursing of Fr. Halbmaier during his illnesses, her participation in the St. Anne Society at Sacred Heart, Palestrina Choir, etc.
Please, also, pass our sympathy to your sisters and their families. Losing one's mother is one of the most difficult things in life. I was lucky to have mine until 1 year ago.
If we were in IL, you know we'd extend our condolences and prayers in person.
Please know you are in our thoughts.
John Carew
August 15, 2009
I remember as a child attending parties at the Rukas home, always a good time. I was amazed the my mother and Maxine were niece and aunt, and yet went to school together. My smypathy goes out to the entire family. My thoughts and prayers are with you. John Carew
Cindy Felix
August 15, 2009
Dear Children of Maxine,
Our family lived on Fulton Street when we were young children as your family did. My dad was George Ellsworth and was on the Aurora Police Department with your father. I have wonderful memories of both of your parents and many of you "kids". I had a sister Alice, who some of you may also remember. Please accept my deepest sympathy at this time. My mother was Mary Ellsworth, she passed away three years ago and she always loved your mother as well.
My deepest sympathy to each of you.
With fond memories from years gone by.
Cindy Ellsworth Felix
Gene Wittry
August 15, 2009
We have wonderful, wonderful memories of your and all the family, and so grateful that we were able to see her a few weeks ago. We certainly feel that we don't need to pray for her, but to her now. She was such a good, holy, devout and fun woman. Gene & Nancy
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