Ellen Charlotte Tausk, nee Rakowski, 85, of Naperville died Aug. 8, 2020, surrounded by love from her husband of 64 years and her three children.
Ellen was born in 1934 to Anton and Peggy Rakowski. She grew up in Chicago along with her five brothers and sisters. She met Ed at work and they married shortly after that.
Ellen was known for making every person feel special. Her home was always welcome to all and her kids' friends were thought of as family.
She could strike up a conversation with anyone she met and make everyone feel like they had a special relationship with her. She was very close to her faith and lived with an incredible zest for life. She did her first half marathon at the age of 75 and won first place in her age bracket.
Ellen is survived by her husband, Ed; her three children, Teri (Chuck) Goudie of Hinsdale, Ed Tausk Jr. (fiancée Wendy Jurek) and Colleen (Steve) Gebavi; her grandchildren, Caylen (Joe) Bufalino, Brittany (Chase) Davidson, Chas (Julie) Goudie, Keegan Goudie, Grace Goudie, Austin Tausk, Danny Tausk, Carley Tausk, Kyle Gebavi, Braden Gebavi, Ethan Gebavi and Garrett Gebavi; her great-grandchildren, Henry Bufalino, Leo Bufalino, Brooks Davidson, Walker Davidson and Claire Goudie; and her siblings, Patricia Serritella and Tony Rakowski.
Family and friends will meet for a funeral mass at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, at St. Mary's of Gostyn Church, 440 Prairie Ave., Downers Grove.
Interment will follow at Assumption Catholic Cemetery in Wheaton.
Her family asks everyone to wear bright colors as a way to honor Ellen's joyful spirit.
To carry on her mission of seeking and supporting goodness in others, her children have set up the Ellen Tausk Kindness Foundation. Each year, the foundation will choose to help a family in need. Donations can be sent to: The Ellen Tausk Kindness Foundation, Chase Bank, 1 S. Northwest Highway, Park Ridge, IL 60068.
Brian Powell Funeral Directors of Hinsdale handled the arrangements.
