Ernestine "Tina" M. Rubenacker

April 23, 1920 - May 13, 2014

Ernestine "Tina" M. Rubenacker Obituary (Age 94) Tina of Spokane, WA, formerly of Champaign, IL, died peacefully May 13, 2014 at Hospice House of Spokane with her family and dear friends at her bedside. She was born in Bondville, IL to Otto and Anna Dugan on April 23, 1920. She married her childhood sweetheart James J. Rubenacker, Sr. on May 24, 1940. He preceded her in death on June 3, 1986. Also preceding her in death were her parents, sister Beulah (Beda) Rubenacker and brother Charles (Bud) Dugan. Surviving are her four children: James (Sharon), Champaign, IL, Suzanne (Mike) Matheson, Spokane, Charles of the Netherlands and Colorado Springs and Sheila Rubenacker of Spokane and life-long friend, Linda Hagan, of Sarasota, FL; grandchildren: Shawn Matheson, Dawn Keeney, Inga Matheson, all of Spokane, and Max Rubenacker, New York City; great-granddaughter Mikayla Sue Matheson, and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Tina adored all her children, grandchildren and great-granddaughter. She enjoyed life, her family's successes and helping all of them. She was a wonderful loving mother who gave a pat on the back, praise or possible redirection if needed. She worked hard at the side of her husband on their family farm. She was a stay at home Mom until 1964 when she discovered an unknown talent for fashion, then worked as a buyer and fashion coordinator for Carson Pirie Scott until retirement in 1979. She later lived in Clearwater, FL and Tucson, AZ to spend more time with her sister. In May 2000 she moved to Spokane, WA to be with her family there. She loved life, loved to party and was the life of any party she attended, and loved playing cards. She loved to travel and cruise and loved Hawaii. She was a generous person in helping others, lending a hand to family, friends and strangers. She will be remembered as the classiest dame ever. She will be greatly missed by her family and those who loved her. A celebration of her life will be arranged for later this year in Spokane and Champaign. Her remains will be inurned at Calvary Cemetery, Philo, IL. Donations may be made in her memory to Hospice House of Spokane, 367 E. 7th St., Spokane, WA 99202 or St.Jude Children's Hospital, Memphis.