Ruthann Tonak

Ruthann (Peine) Tonak, age 74, of Roscoe, IL, passed away surrounded by family on May 31, 2025 at Beloit Memorial Hospital, Beloit, WI. Ruthann was born on August 19, 1950, in Garnett, KS to Aaron and Maxine (Peters) Peine. She graduated from Garnett High School. Ruthann married Dennis Tonak on June 7, 1980 at St. Boniface, Scipio (rural Garnett), KS.
Over the years Ruthann had a variety of employment as a CNA, dental lab technician, receptionist-secretary, and nursing home activities director. Ruthann loved children. This led her to employment as an on-site day care manager in Texas, operating an in-home day care when Nathan and Matthew were young, and as a paraprofessional assisting children with special needs. She was passionate about her work, extending the same love and support she gave her family to the children she worked with.
Ruthann enjoyed sitting outside in the sunshine, reading books, seeing movies, and going out to eat. She had become a regular follower of the "Pickles with Opal and Earl" cartoon strip, which she often shared with Dennis. She looked forward to trips to Kansas and South Dakota to visit with family and friends.
Ruthann is survived by her loving husband, Dennis; children Lisa (Tom) Van Dyke, Glendale Heights, IL, Carina Tonak, Rockton, IL, Brian Tonak, Roscoe, IL, Nathan Tonak, Machesney Park, IL, and Matthew Tonak, Roscoe, IL and granddaughter Kati Tonak, Roscoe, IL, sisters Marie (Jerry) Brock, Richmond, Kansas and Joyce Catt, Garnett, Kansas and brother Dean (Cherie) Peine, Oswego, KS, sisters-in-law Sandi Peine, Olathe, KS, Connie Peine, Welda, KS, LeAnn Roering, Minneapolis, MN, Lynette Peters, Cincinnati, OH, Lori Tonak, Kimball, SD, and LaDonna Tonak, Sioux Falls, SD, brothers-in-law David Tonak, Sundance, WY, Darryl Tonak, Ortonville, MN, and Dan Tonak, Willow Lake, SD, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives. She is preceded in death by her parents, Aaron and Maxine Peine, her parents in-law Donald and Eunice Tonak, her brothers Larry Peine and Dale Peine, and sister-in-law Sharon Tonak.
Ruthann touched many lives with her kindness, patience, humor, and understanding. We celebrate the life she lived, the love she shared, and the memories she created. Ruthann left a lasting impact on the hearts of the loved ones she left behind.
Visitation will be held Friday, June 27, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in McCorkle Funeral Home, 767 N. Blackhawk Blvd., Rockton, IL. A Memorial Ceremony will be held Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in Faith Lutheran Church, 1305 Blackhawk Blvd., South Beloit, IL. Final resting place to be Rockton Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations may be made in Ruthann's memory to Faith Lutheran Church, Beloit Health System Foundation, American Heart Association or National Kidney Foundation.
We invite you to share your memories of Ruthann, to celebrate her life and the love she shared. You are encouraged to leave messages and upload photos to Ruthann's memorial page, to keep her memory alive in our hearts and minds. As we remember Ruthann, let us remember the love and dedication she showed us all, and strive to emulate her in our own lives.