Mildred T. Pruss

Mildred T. “Millie” Pruss (née Gecan) age 97, of Joliet, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 29, 2025.

Born May 5, 1928 in Joliet, Illinois, Millie was the daughter of Charles and Anna Gecan (née Surinak). She was raised and educated in Joliet, graduating as a member of the Class of 1946 from Joliet Township High School, and was always a proud supporter of higher education.

Millie was a devout Catholic and longtime parishioner of St. Mary Nativity Church in Joliet. She married Joseph E. Pruss, Jr. on April 12, 1947, and together they raised their three children in the Joliet, IL area. She enjoyed spending time with her great-great granddaughters, Ava and Annabelle.

She was a proud employee of Amoco Chemical Corporation, where she worked as an Executive Secretary until her retirement.

Millie enjoyed reading, music, crocheting, gardening, and the Chicago Cubs. She loved her beloved dogs Skippy and Rusty. She was an active volunteer of the Carillon social committee for many years. Following her retirement, she enjoyed traveling and was quite fond of Hawaii. Millie was very well known for her savvy Shahrazad-like storytelling abilities. We will miss her stories.

Millie is survived by her three children Ronald E. (Donna) Pruss Sr., Anita (the late Robert) Baranski, and Joseph C. (the late Marlene) Pruss; her three grandchildren Julie Baranski, Kurt Montgomery, and Ronald E. (Sherese) Pruss Jr.; two great-grandsons Brandon Baranski and Zachary Pruss; two great-great-granddaughters: Ava Baranski and Annabelle Baranski, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Anna Gecan; her husband Joseph E. Pruss, Jr.; her infant daughter Joanne; great-grandson James C. Baranski; brothers Joseph (Sue) Gecan, Aloysius “Al” (Ina) Getson; and her sisters Cecilia (Joseph) Wolf and Charlotte (John) Brown.

In lieu of flowers, donations in the memory of Mildred T. Pruss to either: St Mary Nativity School in Joliet (stmarynativity.org), or the Will County Humane Society (willcountyhumane.com) will be appreciated by her family.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 11, 2025 from 9:30 am to 10;30 am in the nativity room at St. Mary Nativity Catholic Church, 706 N. Broadway St. Joliet,IL.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, September 11, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary Nativity Catholic Church, 706 N. Broadway St. Joliet, IL. Immediately following mass, Millie will be laid to rest at St. Mary Nativity Cemetery, 601 Caton Farm Rd. Crest Hill, IL