Celestine “Sally” Casper (nee Rukscinski), mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to so many, died March 21, 2023, peacefully, at Cantata Adult Life Services in Brookfield.
She was born on Aug. 22, 1918 to the late Leonard and Katherine Rukscinski. She was the sister of the late Jeanne Rooks and Edward and Harry Ruks. Celestine was a graduate of Morton East High School and began her career as a secretary at Birds Eye Foods.
She reached a milestone of 100 years of age in August 2018 and there are many memories held in the hearts of all of those who loved her.
Besides her family, church was very important to her. She volunteered at Mary Queen of Heaven Church in Cicero and Mater Christi Church in North Riverside as a eucharistic minister and lector, and she visited Cantata in Brookfield, where she said the rosary and distributed communion to the elderly. Celestine loved to play cards regularly with her family and friends.
Ms. Casper is preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Eugene “Gene” Casper and her 4-year-old daughter, Judy Casper. She is survived by her son, Wayne and his wife Terry of Adell, Wisconsin, and by her daughter, Marilyn and life partner Donna Barker, of Phoenix, Arizona. She is survived by seven grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.
A funeral Mass was celebrated March 24 at Mater Christi Church, followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside.
Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home, North Riverside, handled arrangements.
Online condolences, memories and photos may be shared at KuratkoNosek.com.
