Lucile Cecelia Elegeer Rutkowski, 85, of Waterford, PA, passed away on December 8, 2013 at Manchester Commons in Fairview Township. Lucile was born March 15, 1928 in Conneaut Township, PA, one of nine children of Peter and Teresa Lindemann Elegeer.
Lucile grew up in Albion, PA and moved to rural Waterford as a teenager. She graduated from Waterford Joint High School in 1947 and she married John “Kaki” Rutkowski in 1948. They were happily married for 59 years. Lucile and Kaki operated a dairy farm on Sharp Road, where they also sold vegetables and pumpkins. Lucile continued to operate the vegetable stand after her husband’s death until a stroke caused her to continue recovery at Manchester Commons.
She is survived by her children, David (Connie) Rutkowski of Waterford, Rodney Rutkowski of Allison Park, PA, and Joan (Neil) Baxter of Albion, PA; her grandchildren, Stephanie (Shawn) Fox and Ryne (Erin) Rutkowski, all of Waterford, and Bryce Baxter and Drew Baxter, both of Albion. She is also survived by her sisters, Luzella Porter of Manchester Commons, Viola (Richard) Kaczmarek of Fairview, Eloise Ballard of Mercer, PA, and Geraldine (Joseph) Petrov of Houston, TX; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Lucile was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John “Kaki” Rutkowski, her brothers Ambrose Elegeer and Alvin Elegeer, and sisters Valetta Randall and Louise Kozinski.
The Rutkowski family would like to thank Lucile’s staff and friends at Manchester for the loving care provided her since November 2011.
Friends and family may visit on Tuesday, December 10, from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Van Matre Funeral Home, 105 Walnut Street, Waterford, and on Wednesday at the Gathering Space at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in McKean, PA from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Fr. Mark Nowak will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery.
Memorials in Lucile’s name may be made to Stancliff Hose Co., PO Box 275, Waterford, PA 16441, or the St. Margaret Foundation, 815 Freeport Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15215, or the Northwestern Toys for Wildcats, 100 Harthan Way, Albion, PA 16401.
Our condolences go out to all of the Rutkowski family for the loss of Lucile. All of your friends at Presque Isle State Park have you in their thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow.