Frances Ellen Rutkowski

Heavenly Father on February 13, 2026. Frankie was born August 11, 1932 to Dr. John and Evelyn Muncy who resided in the Cathedral District of Joliet. She attended elementary school in Joliet, IL and

graduated from Joliet Township High School. After high school she enjoyed working for her father in his medical practice. In her later years, she created her own silk flower business called Forever Flowers.

On February 20, 1954, she married Robert Rutkowski who served in the Navy WW2 and they happily spent the next 65 years together making memories until his passing on July 13, 2019.

Frankie had a passion for being an outstanding mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was an entertaining story teller and loved to share dramatic tales from her childhood. Her sense of humor and creativity guaranteed their home was a welcoming happy place to all. Birthday parties Frankie planned were epic events. There was always a fun theme and exquisite homemade treats and favors. Word of these parties were often highlighted in the newspaper.

Everyone often remembers and speaks of her signature artistically frosted cutout sugar cookies. They were individually put in baggies with curly ribbon which hung in their entryway where neighbors,

friends and family looked forward to visiting and getting their cookie.

Frankie sewed, knit and crocheted beautiful designer clothes, pictures and pillows for her grandchildren and others. She paid close attention to every detail, even designing Barbie clothes with satin lining, real mink collars and covered buttons.

She was admired for her beautiful, memorable holiday family dinners. The table was always set perfectly with china, crystal, linens and even creative themed place cards.

Frankie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert, a sister Virginia Silvers, her son-in law Crest Hill, IL Police Sergeant Timothy Simenson and her beloved grandson Brandon Simenson.

Survivors who will forever miss her are her three children, Kevin Rutkowski (Thuy Boviall) of Sarasota Florida, Suzanne Simenson of Plainfield, IL, and Karen (Richard) Fakes of Salem, Wisconsin; her grandchildren Stephanie (Kevin) Simenson Sergent, Courtney and Lauren Fakes and her greatgrandchildren Sean and Brynn Sergent, dear friend of the family Ken Thomson and numerous nieces and nephews and friends.

Frankie lived her life to bless others. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14: "But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do

who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with those who have died." John 5:25 "I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now

come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear it will live."

In Lieu of flowers Please send donations to Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care, Formerly Joliet Community Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL, 60431.

Funeral Service will be held at St. Martha’s Catholic Church, 200 N. Orange Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236 on Tuesday, March 10,2026

at !0:00 am ET. It will be live streamed and can be found on YouTube. Copy and paste the link in your web browser: https://www.youtube.com/live/ZyeSBjipS9A

She will be buried with her husband at the Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL 34241 on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 10:30 ET arrangements Through Robert Toale & Sons Funeral Home, 170 Honore Ave, Sarasota FL

34232.