Elizabeth "Bette" Ann Rackauskas Obituary (1952 - 2019)

Elizabeth "Bette" Ann Rackauskas, 66, of Bloomington went to be with her Savior at 12:50 p.m. Sunday (Nov. 24, 2019) at Williamson Medical Center in Franklin, TN with her family by her side. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 711 North Main Street, Bloomington, IL 61701 with a visitation preceding from 8-9:45 a.m. Bette has requested all her friends and family to joyfully come together in their formal "Sunday Best" to share in song, prayer and Eucharistic sacrament to celebrate life. Bette was born Dec. 27, 1952 in St. Paul, Minnesota to LtCol (USMC) Richard Karl and Harriet McCarr Davis. She is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, Dr. Gregory George Rackauskas, whom she married on October 26, 1974. Also surviving are her eight children, Analiesa (Michael) Dickson, Peoria, IL; Dr. Vanessa Rackauskas, Naples, FL; CDR (US Navy) Preston (Bridget) Rackauskas, Arlington, VA; Jarrod (Kelly) Rackauskas, Normal, IL; Dr. Cassandra (Cory) Matney; Lorelei Samuelson; Natasha (Brandon) Long; and Marshall Rackauskas; ten grandchildren who were her world, Madeline, Paxton, Jack, Eli, Christianson, Ava, Clark, Harper, Clyde, and Josephine; three brothers, Michael (Doreen) Davis, Brooksville, FL, Kelly (Debbie) Davis and LTC (US Army) Patrick (Elizabeth) Davis, Overland Park, KS and three sisters, Mary Davis Schoneman, Normal, IL, Terri (Rick) Kerwin, Antioch, IL and Kathleen (Eric) Barr, Olathe, KS. She is preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Harriet Davis and brother, CPT (US Army) Casey Davis. After graduating from Sacred Heart of Mary High School, Rolling Meadows, IL, Bette continued her education at Cook County Nursing School and earned her Registered Nursing license at St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital School of Nursing, Chicago, IL in 1974. Bette's career started at Cook County Hospital and continued in Bloomington, IL where she and her husband started his private dental practice. Throughout her life, Bette held many roles in medicine at Dr. Chow and Drs. Doran and Capodice's practices, in interior design and in volunteerism, but none brought her more joy than being the Master in Chief to her family and a public servant. Bette served her community as a Girl Scout Troop leader, an active supporter of the Central Catholic High School Parents Club, an American Red Cross fundraiser, an appointed member of the Bloomington Planning Commission, a member of the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors, and a decade as an elected official on the McLean County Board serving the Planning, Justice and Policy Committees. Greg describes Bette as his vibrantly beautiful bride. Friends and community describe her as an icon, advocate and influencer. All describe her as a timeless, traditional, classy, fearless, giving and selfless lady. Bette gave of her time, creativity, leadership and love. Bette welcomed everyone into their home and to join at their table. As Pope Francis said, "you can always add more water to the beans," Bette would say "add another cup of water to the soup" whenever anyone dropped in. She created an open house where so many of her children's friends came to congregate during late nights, hanging out in the kitchen with Bette perched on a breakfast stool with a Diet Coke or hot tea in hand. Once you were in, you were family. She listened and she always had a solution to your problem, like poetry in motion. It was common to hear her say, "you don't have to be the best, but you have to DO your best." Bette was passionate about anything her children were passionate about, the ultimate school mom - jazz band, theater, sports, art, student council, science and geography fairs. As her children grew, her interests changed with theirs to cooking, decorating, careers, continued public service and growing families. She made every holiday magical. She loved teaching her children about their Lithuanian heritage - from school country reports to making lavish Lithuanian dishes and desserts for Christmas. Children grow up thinking that they don't want to be like their parents, but as Bette's children look around their homes filled with ornate holiday decor and traditions for all, they can't help but feel blessed to continue with her legacy. Please join us at Mass this Saturday to give thanks to God and to show gratitude for the woman who so selflessly loved and gave to so many. Flowers are welcomed, as Bette loved red roses; memorial contributions may be made in Bette's honor to the Children's Advocacy Center and CASA, with checks payable to CASA and mailed to 200 W Front St Suite 500B, Bloomington, IL 61701.