Joan Rutkowski, 57, a resident of Scranton, died Monday morning at home. She is the wife of Frank Rutkowski.
Born in New Brunswick, N.J., she was the daughter of the late Frank and Bertha Krolikowski Taskovitz. Joan worked in the customer service department of Geisinger Health Systems. As an ordained Christian minister, she co-pastored the Scranton Spirit and Truth Fellowship Church, along with her husband.
She enjoyed cooking, gardening and crocheting.
Surviving are a daughter, Kaitlyn Palmer, Leesburge, Fla.; a sister, Sue Kaufold, Westfield, N.J.; four stepchildren; 11 grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Amy Palmer; and a brother, William Taskowitz.
A memorial service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. in the Corey Brian Strauch Services LLC, funeral home location, 602 Birch St., Scranton, to be officiated by Pastor John Schoenheit. Arrangements and cremation were entrusted to Pennsylvania Cremation Services LLC.
To leave an online condolence, visit www.PennsylvaniaCremationServices.com or its Facebook page.
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Dan Gallagher
There is a hole in our hearts with the loss of Joanie. We will greatly miss her, her smile, her laugh, her acts, of serv ice, and her great love for God’s people. Rest now Joan, we will see you again. Love, Dan and Lori
Christine P
Joan holds a special place in my heart. She was always kind and always smiling. She was a great motivator provided positivity when times were tough. She will be greatly missed. Sending all of my love to her and to her family.
Steve & Debbie Onorato
God bless the sole of our friend Joan. Although we have only seen her a few times over the last several years, we fondly remember hanging at their place on Arthur Street a “long” time ago, and the many annual Friends and Family weekends she hosted when they moved to Pennsylvania. God, please strengthen the Friends and Family that Joan now leaves behind, as we all celebrate her life.
Adeline
My deepest condolences. I did not know Joan personally but we would meet in prayer. It was the greatest feeling in the world to meet a sister in the Lord in this way. I will be praying for the family.
John & Johnny Hartridge
Our sincere condolence to you and your
family. May she rest in peace.
Dawn Pentecost
My prayers go out to all of Joan’s family. Our earthly world lost a beautiful soul, but I know that there is rejoicing in heaven. She is singing and laughing and playing the flute to the glory of God. She will be sorely missed on our earthly plain. Until we met again.
Cousins Lea, Steve and Sherri
To Frank and all the Rutkowskis, Kaitlyn, cousins Sue, Joan, Gloria, Frank, Patty, and the many Taskowitz, Krupa cousins of multiple generations.
So profoundly saddened to hear of Joan’s passing and praying her entire family and friends, co-workers are all comforted as we grieve her loss. As I’d said at a family gathering a year ago about our brother Bob, also now gone, Joan “walked the talk” of her faith. So, I take heart to know she is in the hands of God on “the other side.” And with those we’ve lost before her. May they celebrate in Heaven her glorious arrival.
My cousin Joan was an intelligent, always funny, considerate, compassionate, sweet person who could take a joke and laugh along. Her life in Pennsylvania made it challenging to see her as often as we wanted but we, too, were out of state. She survived terrible losses with dignity, renewed faith and strength. I’m also sharing Sherri and Steve’s condolences.
With much love and prayers,
Cindy O'Malley
I would like to send my thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Joan in their time of loss. I met her only a couple of times but with her smile and compassion for others made her shine as a child of God. She will be deeply missed. May Joan be our guiding angel to give us strength and compassion for others the way she showed in her life here with us.
Lea
Thinking of you cousin and know we’re keeping your loved ones here in our prayers. May God continue to comfort them and may we always remember your laugh, smile and warm heart.
With love,
Lea