Manitowoc– Lillian Frances (nee: Markunas) Rutkowski, 96, formerly of Racine, passed away peacefully at the Shady Lane Nursing Care Center in Manitowoc on Tuesday, April 12, 2011.
Lillian was born in Racine on March 15, 1915 to the late Michael and Frances (nee: Milishauskis) Markunas. She was a graduate of St. Catherine’s High School. On June 20, 1936 in St. Joseph Catholic Church, she was united in marriage with the love of her life, Steve Anthony Rutkowski, who preceded her in death on November 7, 2001. After Steve passed away, Lillian moved to Manitowoc to be near her beloved son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren.
Lillian was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church – Racine (where she had been involved with Christian Mothers) and of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church – Manitowoc. Proudly playing for the Racine Belles for several years, Lillian was an outstanding softball and baseball left-handed pitcher throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. In their younger years, Lillian and Steve enjoyed hunting together especially for rabbits. She was a Green Bay Packer fan who always looked forward to watching the next game. Above all, Lillian loved and cherished being in the surroundings of her entire family.
Surviving are her son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Connie Rutkowski of Manitowoc; grandchildren, Jean Timme, Steven (Karen) Rutkowski, Susan Key, Kathlynn Rutkowski and Sara (Dave) Bennett; 11 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, Lillian was preceded in death by 4 sisters and 1 brother.
Private family services were held in the funeral home on Saturday, April 30, 2011. Entombment followed in Calvary Cemetery Garden Crypts.
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