Ruthann Lukes

March 9, 1939 - August 11, 2020

Ruthann Lukes, 81, of Spirit Lake passed away on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at her home in Spirit Lake. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 15, 2020 at Lakeview Gardens Cemetery in Spirit Lake. Arrangements are under the direction of the Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Ruthann was born on March 9, 1939 in Barrington, IL to Frank and Dorothy (Schwemm) Willard. She graduated from Barrington Highschool. Ruthann was united in marriage to James A. Lukes on August 9, 1959 in a candlelight ceremony at the Barrington United Methodist Church in Barrington, IL. He preceded her in death on March 7, 2008 in Sioux Falls, SD. In 1973, they moved their family from Rolling Meadows, IL to Spirit Lake to enjoy the Iowa Great Lakes and all it had to offer. Ruthann enjoyed spending her days raising her 2 children and tending to their home. Ruthann enjoyed being a mother and grandmother. She also enjoyed going to auctions and antiquing where she enjoyed finding treasures and other collectables to bring home. She also enjoyed reading, tending to her flowers, and fishing with Jim in their younger years. Most recently, Ruthann spent many hours the last few years on the phone with her pen pal Marianne and her high school classmate Marlene talking, reminiscing and just lending an ear. She is survived by her son Jeff (Angela) Lukes of Spirit Lake, step grandchildren Jefferey (Laura) and Amy Ondler; daughter Denise Tuinstra of Lake Park, grandchildren Hayley, Kortney (Kevin) and Dylan, great grandchild Kase Winters and her niece Mary Ruth Hammond of Fox River Grove, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jim, and great grandchildren Hope Catherine and Harper Rose.