Donna Riskus

Aldona "Donna" Riskus was born in February 1946 in Germany (Hanau Displaced Persons Camp) to refugee Lithuanian parents, Kazimieras and Dr. Stase Riskus, who preceded her in death. She was the loving sister of Paul Riskus (Aldona) and George Riskus (Vilija) and beloved aunt to Vida (Jeff) Keene, Audra (Peter) Spuhler, Andrew (Carmen), Justin (Jennifer), Alisa (Nasser) Grainawi, Paul (Alexandra) and Antanas (Lena). She also loved spending time, talking with and spoiling her many great nephews and nieces including Adam, Noah, Alex, Didier, Evan, Ronan, Theoden, Lukas, Andy, Mykolas, Henrikas, Jurgutis and Sofiana.
Donna was a proud Southsider and Lithuanian-American who grew up in Chicago, mostly in Lithuanian neighborhoods like Marquette Park. Her youth was spent attending various Lithuanian functions, summer camps like Dainava, youth conferences and the like. She graduated from Maria High School and gained degrees from Loyola (BA) and Northern Illinois University (MA). Throughout her life she was a tireless advocate for all things Lithuanian but was also a fiercely proud American.
She was a generous person with a heart of gold who was always looking out for those in need. Through her career as a social worker with the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) she was able to help countless children in difficult situations. Donna was also an animal lover, always imploring those she knew to please consider adopting from shelters. She embraced her role as a "push over" to her many nieces and nephews, often taking them on outings to Toys R' Us, movies, baseball games and so many other things.
Donna loved a good road trip, and could make a four hour drive seem like 30 minutes. She loved to tell stories, had a great sense of humor and was a repository of family history. Her knowledge of who did what going back as far as the late 1800s is a big loss.
The week before she passed away, Donna was back to her old self, happily chatting away with nurses, doctors and family. She had a personality that brightened up the room. "Teta Donna" will always hold a place in the hearts of those who knew her. May she rest in peace forever.
Services will be held at Blessed Jurgis Matulaitis Mission in Lemont. Visitation at 9AM followed by Mass at 10. Burial at Lithuanian National Cemetery to follow