Ruth E. Gieseke, 88

Ruth E. Gieseke (nee Benson), 88, of Crystal Lake, died Thursday, July 19, 2012.

She was born January 27, 1924, to the late Bernhard and Hildur (nee Jacobson) Benson of Crystal Lake.  On May 18, 1946, she married the late Victor E. Gieseke in Immanuel Lutheran Church in Crystal Lake, where she remained a member until her death. 

Mrs. Gieseke attended and graduated from Crystal Lake Community High School (class of 1943). She was very active in the church Altar Guild and The Crystal Lake Food Pantry.  She also volunteered for many years in the Crystal Lake Little League, worked as a Republican election judge, and was a die-hard Cubs fan. She enjoyed world travel, wintering in Florida, and fishing in Wisconsin. 

She is survived by a son, Thomas (Vicky) Gieseke of Sarasota, FL ; a daughter, Judy LaZonby of Crystal Lake; three grandchildren, Jaclyn (Nickolas) Radeni of Crystal Lake, Morgan (Basil) Camu of Raleigh, NC, and Jesse (Brittany) Gieseke of Arlington, VA; a twin sister, Alice Mae (Norman) Lodtz of Crystal Lake; a brother-in-law, Glen (Nancy) Gieseke; and many nieces and nephews. 

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Maurice “Bing” and Harold Benson. 

Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m., Tuesday, July 24, at , 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave. (Route 176), Crystal Lake, and Wednesday, July 25, from 10 a.m. until the time of funeral service at 11 a.m., at Immanuel Lutheran Church (Historic Campus), 178 McHenry Ave., Crystal Lake. Pastor Larry Tieman will officiate.

Burial will follow at McHenry County Memorial Park. 

Memorials in Mrs. Gieseke’s name may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church Altar Guild (please note Altar Guild on memo line), 300 Pathway Ct., Crystal Lake, IL 60014, or the Crystal Lake Food Pantry, 257 King St., Crystal Lake, IL 60014, or www.clpantry.org.