SR1309 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1309 LRB102 29798 ECR 41889 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Lovella Mary "Val" Sendelweck Ruckriegel, who passed away on November 22, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Lovella Ruckriegel was born to Walter Johann and Emily Margaret (Buchta) Sendelweck in Boone Township, Jasper, Indiana on August 17, 1935; she attended the Portersville four-room schoolhouse before graduating from Jasper High School in 1953; she married Robert Lee Clinton "Bob" Ruckriegel in St. Paul's Lutheran Church on September 13, 1956; and

WHEREAS, Lovella Ruckriegel worked in the offices of Jasper Wood Products after graduating high school; she and her husband opened the 24-hour eatery Jerry's Restaurant in 1964 while she continued to work for Jasper Wood Products; after starting a restaurant company with their friend and business partner, Dave Buehler, she left Jasper Wood Productions to focus full time on the growing company in 1969; she led an office team that originally did the company's payroll and accounting in the basement of her house until the new corporate office building, Der Buro Komplex, was built in 1976; and

WHEREAS, Lovella Ruckriegel and her husband's operating company eventually became known as BR Associates; their business grew to include hospitality units in six states, including Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Illinois, New York, and Florida; their company was recognized by the hospitality industry as the sixth largest multi-concept private restaurant group in the nation in 1986; and

WHEREAS, Lovella Ruckriegel's sons followed in her and her husband's footsteps by starting their own restaurant company; while celebrating 50 years in the restaurant industry, the family combined both companies to form SERVUS in 2014; and

WHEREAS, Lovella Ruckriegel worked alongside her husband on many side businesses or development investments; she was involved in each project, from taking care of the books to working on designing, decorating, or viability; and

WHEREAS, Lovella Ruckriegel donated her time to various organizations in the community, including St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Redeemer Lutheran Church, the Redeemer Women's Club, the Fifth Street P.T.O., and, most recently, her homeowners' association; proud of her bookkeeping skills, she often served in the role of treasurer or accountant; she also helped start the Northwood Good Samaritan Retirement Community, where she readied its opening by helping place the furniture and putting on the first bed linens in 1966; and

WHEREAS, Lovella Ruckriegel was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus of Jasper High School; she gifted a 15-foot clock to the City of Jasper's restored train station in her and her husband's names; she considered her highest honor to be receiving the key to the City of Jasper; and

WHEREAS, Lovella Ruckriegel was preceded in death by her husband, Robert "Bob" Ruckriegel, and her brother, Clarence (Janice) Sendelweck; and

WHEREAS, Lovella Ruckriegel is survived by her sons, Al (David Adams) Ruckriegel and Sid (Andrew Rand) Ruckriegel, and her sister, Ioma (Edward) Wening; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Lovella Mary "Val" Sendelweck Ruckriegel and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Lovella Ruckriegel as an expression of our deepest sympathy.