Gwen Rakunas

Gwen M. Rakunas, 85, passed away on August 15, 2026.

Gwen was born to Estelle and Ernest Rubas at Holy Cross Hospital in Chicago, Illinois on September 26, 1940. She attended nativity B.V.M. School in Chicago, Saint Elizabeth Elementary, and Saint Elizabeth High School in Wilmington, Delaware. She moved back to Chicago and attended Maria High School, Chicago Teachers College, University of Illinois and Chicago Lighting Institute.

Gwen worked at Holy Cross Hospital, Chicago Savings & Loan and Design Galleries. While at Design Galleries, she worked on many projects, such as lighting for Marina City, Dick Congress Hotel, Conrad Hilton Hotel, and the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago.

On May 13, 1961, she married Fred C. Rakunas at Nativity B.V.M. Catholic Church in Chicago, the same church where she and Fred were baptized and made their 1st Holy Communion. They purchased their first home in Woodridge, Illinois. Together they shared over 60 years of marriage.

While living in Woodridge, neighbors told them of Torch Lake in Michigan where their family owned a cottage. They invited the Rakunases to join them on their next trip. Gwen and Fred fell in love with the lake and purchased property in Eastport. They built a cottage, and as the years progressed, they added on to the original building and moved there permanently. Their son Steve was born in April of 1968 and son Jeff in September of 1970.

Gwen worked at Central Lake High School for Russ Graves, Chet Budzinski, and Larry Blamer.

She is survived by her son Jeff (Rachel) Rakunas of Cypress, TX, grandchildren Drew Taylor of Algonac, MI, Ian Rakunas of San Francisco, CA, Owen and Peyton Rakunas of Cypress, TX, her brother Ernie Rubas of Oak Lawn, IL, and brother-in-law Larry Rakunas of St. Charles, IL.

Gwen was preceded in death by her husband Fred in 2023, son, Steve Rakunas of Grawn, MI, parents Estelle and Ernie Rubas of Burbank, IL, in-laws Bernice and Charles Rakunas of Woodridge, IL, sister-in-law Mary Rakunas of St. Charles, IL, and brother in-law Casimir Rakunas of Woodridge, IL.

Cremation has taken place and Gwen will be buried next to her husband and son in Lakeview Cemetery, Torch Lake Township. Donations may be made to one’s choice in memory of Gwen. Arrangements are under the care of the Central Lake Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Please sign her online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com. From Gwen:

“Remember regardless of our skin color, sexual orientation, religion, education, political choice, wealth or lack of wealth, we all have red blood, and all have the same body organs. Hope would be, 'Let there be peace on earth and love one another.'”