Ruth Eileen Lustig

1923 - 2025

Ruth Eileen Lustig (Petrokas)
Born: October 13, 1923
Died: August 31, 2025
Ruth Eileen Lustig (Petrokas), age 101, of Lakeville, MN, passed away August 31, 2025 after a brief illness and a long life.
The younger daughter of Stanley and Catherine (Rice) Petrokas was born October 13, 1923, in Springfield, IL. She and her sister, Sylvia (Chepulis), were raised in Springfield by their widowed father after their mother passed away when the girls were toddlers. Ruth graduated from Lanphier High School with honors. After completing a nursing degree from St. John's College of Nursing, she enlisted in the US Army Nurse Corps as a Second Lieutenant during WWII and served until honorably discharged in 1946.
Ruth's military service included accompanying war brides traveling by train across the USA, and serving in various military hospitals taking care of wounded soldiers. She was very proud of her service to our country.
Ruth had a strong work ethic, and continued her nursing career in private duty, hospitals and mental health facilities until retiring in 1988.
While serving in the Army, Ruth met Robert Lustig. They married in 1948, and settled in Chicago, where they had the first four of their six children. In 1957 they purchased their first home in Crystal Lake, IL, where they had two more children. In 2001, with her youngest son Raymond (who had Down Syndrome), Ruth moved to Lakeville, MN to live with two of her daughters.
Ruth was very proud of her Lithuanian heritage, having both parents and grandparents arriving from Lithuania at the turn of the century. She enjoyed traveling and camping with her family. She loved eating and was an adventurous cook. As an avid bowler, Ruth was a league participant for many years. She was active with the Senior club and enjoyed Wii bowling and the monthly book club. Ruth volunteered for Meals on Wheels and tutored reading. Ruth's greatest passion was reading and after her eyesight failed she was able to listen to her beloved books and to Frank Sinatra's music. As a respite from the Minnesota winters she would spend time in Destin, Florida.
Ruth said that her long life was due to eating healthy food, maintaining her weight by attending TOPS, taking a daily walk and drinking a glass of red wine every day. For Ruth's 100th birthday her family held an open house celebration and it was attended by friends and family, some from out of state.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Catherine; sister, Sylvia; son, Raymond; and former husband, Robert. Ruth leaves behind her children, Michael (Susan), Mary, Barbara, Mark and Peggy. She is also survived by a grandson, great grandsons, nieces, nephew, great nieces and nephews.
A private graveside service will be held in Illinois at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Special Olympics or Doctors Without Borders. Online condolences can be shared at the Cremation Society of Minnesota.