Elizabeth J. Ruettiger

Elizabeth Ruettiger (nee Mandella) 87, of Montello, Wisconsin for over 30 years, formerly of Joliet, IL. Born January 4, 1926 to Sylvester and Anna Mandella; passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 6, 2013 comforted by the love of her family.

Elizabeth attended A.O. Marshall Elementary School and Joliet Township High School. She was employed by Goldblatt's Department Store prior to her marriage. Elizabeth married her beloved Daniel Oscar Ruettiger on March 26, 1945 at St. Bernard Catholic Church, Father Aloysious officiating. They were married for 66 years upon the death of Daniel in 2011. Together they had fourteen children, seven daughters and seven sons. She received awards for her many years of service at St. Mary Magdalene parish and school. Elizabeth and Daniel were awarded the "Cor Unum Award" (Latin for ONE HEART) in 2004 from Providence Catholic High School. Elizabeth loved to sing as a teenager and was invited to sing on the "Al Pohlers Radio Program." She recorded two "The Best of Betty Ruettiger" CD's in 2005. Elizabeth sang in the choir at her parish church of St. John in Montello, Wisconsin. She was a member of the "Ramblin Ranglers" who traveled to local nursing homes to entertain the elderly.

Elizabeth is survived by her 14 children, "It all began with Grandpa Dan and Grammy," Jean Ann (the late Charles) Voelker, Mary (Dave) Brockup, Daniel (Cheryl) Ruettiger, Carol (John) Surges, Rosemarie (Jeff) Haiduke, Elizabeth (Dr. Paul) Gallo, Timothy (Kelly) Ruettiger, Francis (Kathy) Ruettiger, Dominic (Bobbie) Ruettiger, John (Nancy) Ruettiger, Rita (Dr. Xaje) Hasanaj, Norma (Ted) Berman, Bernard (Patti) Ruettiger, and Mark (Mary Kay) Ruettiger; 47 grandchildren, Lisa Satterfield, Tommy Voelker, Douglas (Tina) Pirc, Jessica and Daniel Ruettiger, Laurie (Michael) Ford, Ann (Peter) Doyle, Megan (Richard) Robison, Bobbie Jo (Tim) Dunlap, Rocky (Kim) Haiduke, Hawk Haiduke, Andrea (Simon) Jordan, Melissa (Captain Peter) Hickson, Renee, Lynette, Vincent (Rebecca), Theresa, and Dominic Gallo, Daniel, Jacob and Maggie Ruettiger, Shelley (Ryan) Poropat, Jaime (Ray) Wilda, Angela (Travis) Cherry, Rebekah and Samantha Ruettiger, Katelyn and Johnny Ruettiger, Deanna, Dougie, Elizabeth, and Donika, Adem Hasanaj, Briana (Tim) Mason, Gabriella Berman, Briton (Isic) Sword, Joseph , Kayla, Daniel Oscar, Alexa, Maria, Dominic, Michael Ruettiger, Matthew, Josh, Kyle, and Cassie Ruettiger; 34 great-grandchildren, Candace Satterfield, Brittany and Matthew Pirc, Dominic and Zachary Ford, Emma Elizabeth and Peter John Doyle, Mary, Emma, and Robert Robison, Lily, Finley, and Jacob Dunlap, Jeffrey and Annabelle Haiduke, Bernadette, Victoria, and John Paul Jordan, Sean, Grace, Aiden, Thomas, and Colette Hickson, Makenna, Caiden, and Taylor Poropat, Brayden, Cameron, and Kellan Wilda, Parker, Mckenna and Gracie Mason, Xaiden and Kinzley Sword; her siblings, Richard (Norma) Mandella, Sister Rita Mandella OSF and Linda (Tim) O'Leary.

Preceded in death by her beloved husband Daniel Oscar; her parents Sylvester and Anna Mandella; brothers Bernard and Eugene Mandella; three grandchildren, Joseph Edward Voelker, Joseph Charles Gallo and Catrina Hasanaj.

May she rest in peace with her loving husband Daniel. We love you, Mom, Grandma and Grammy.

The family would like to offer a special thank you to the staff at Joliet Area Community Hospice for their wonderful care.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Elizabeth's name may be made to Providence Catholic High School, Joliet Catholic Academy, St. Bernard Catholic Church, or Joliet Area Community Hospice.

A celebration of Elizabeth's life will begin on Saturday, November 9, 2013 with prayers in the funeral home chapel at 9:15 a.m. then driving in procession to St. Bernard Catholic Church in Joliet for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood. Visitation will be on Friday, November 8, 2013 from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Tezak Funeral Home 1211 Plainfield Rd, Joliet.