Stase Rudokas

Stase Mankus Adler Keparutis Rudokas was a woman with many names and a compelling life story. She was born in Lithuania to Joseph and Agnes Mankus, the youngest of three children. Her parents and two older brothers preceded her in death when she was still a very young woman. She attended school in Taurage where she met her first husband, Ewald Adler, the father of her two children, Siegfried Adler (1945-1947) and Cynthia Adler Marin. She fled Lithuania with her young family, along with so many others, and wound up in Leipzig, Germany. They spent several years there in a displaced persons (DP) camp, waiting to emigrate to the United States. While in Leipzig, their young son, Siegfried, passed away. This was a heartbreak that stayed with Stase the rest of her life. They finally got the green light in 1950 and were able to cross the Atlantic to the US. They ported in New Orleans and took a train West to Stockton, California. After a short stay there, they decided that moving to Chicago would be a better option with more opportunities and a larger community of fellow Lithuanians. Stase made the most of living in Chicago, where she continued classes to improve her English, became involved in several Lithuanian organizations, and she worked in the office at Spiegel until her daughter, Cynthia, was born. Stase and her first husband divorced. She then met and married her second husband, Ludwig Keparutis. They enjoyed travelling to Arkansas and Colorado, among other places in the US. They were married 20 years until Ludwig passed away in 1985. She met her third husband, Steve Rudokas, not too long after. They were soon married and enjoyed a very happy life until Steve’s unexpected death in 1996. Stase was a skilled office assistant and worked many years for an insurance company until her retirement. She loved collecting small figurines and enjoyed some hobbies, including knitting and embroidery. Much of her time and dedication was spent on being the secretary of several Lithuanian service and social organizations. Stase was a woman of faith and she was a devoted member of Nativity BVM Catholic Church in Marquette Park, where she added her lovely singing voice in the choir.

Stase is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Adler Marin; grandson, Marcus Marin (Lisa Owens); great-grandchildren, Elija, Scarlet, Cali, and Marlee. She will be missed by her many friends in the community and church.

Visitation Friday, August 29th, 10:00 a.m. until time of Mass 11:00 a.m. at Nativity BVM, 6812 S. Washtenaw Ave., Chicago. Interment St. Casimir Lithuanian cemetery.