Madge C. Liker

Our mom, Madge Liker, 80 of Coal City, Illinois formerly of Joliet passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on Monday, May 08, 2023. On March 17 she made the toughest decision of her life and decided it was time to move on to her next chapter under the care or her children and Lightways Community Hospice.  

With that said, she wasn’t quite ready to give up. She still had work to do. She wanted to see friends and family and let each and every one of them know what they had meant to her.

To many she is known as Momma Madge. There wasn’t a kid in the neighborhood or a friend she wouldn’t take in or offer advice to.  Her famous words were “it’s not the end, it’s just another life lesson, learn from it and move on”.  Even if she wasn’t your mother, you felt like she was.

She was strong, compassionate, tenacious and fierce. She was a protector. If you were her friend, you were a friend for life. Her legacy will carry on through the lives she touched and the paths she crossed. Her love of music, travel, and spending time with friends and family is what mattered the most to her. Mom always said she lived a simple yet rewarding life, little did she know she was the gift.

Born May 13, 1942 in Passaic, New Jersey to the late John & Rita Roman (Contois). The family moved to Mokena, Illinois in 1956. She graduated Lincolnway High School in 1960 and married Patrick Liker (deceased 2007) in 1966.  Their greatest accomplishment were their children; daughters: Debbie (Duke) Durando, Barbi (Dan-deceased) Ruffatto, and son Andy Liker. She also had a son not by blood but by love; Kurt (Tricia) Johnson.  

Moms greatest joy was seeing her grandchildren: Taylor (Anthony) Durando-Bucci, Dominic (Kari) Durando, Tori (Claude McCale) Ruffatto, Daniel (Monica Feeney) Ruffatto and Alexis Jade Liker.  Mom knew how lucky she was to have seen these grandkids through their graduations, weddings, having children of their own. She also leaves behind her tiny treasures, five beautiful great grandchildren she loved beyond measure Chase Anthony Bucci, and Audrey Ann Durando, Jameson Daniel McCale, Mia Grace and Lily Rae Ruffatto.

Mom worked at Eagle Grocery Store 23 years and then at the Will County Circuit Clerks office until retiring in 2005. Mom met many of her lifelong friends through her years of employment. In her hours of need they were there for her: Her constant companion, best friend and care giver till the end Barb Ward, Her soul sister Mary Conley, Her travel partners Mary Lou, Chris and Aunt Mary.

She was proceeded in death by her sister Rose: brother: John: son in law: Dan Ruffatto. Surviving her is a brother Richard; sisters: Rita Lincoln, and Debra Filippo. Her special god daughter, Diana (Martin) Casillas of Florida along with many other nieces and nephews.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm for visitation on Saturday, May 27, 2023 at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Rd, Joliet, Il 60435. Cremation will follow in accordance with her wishes and burial will be held privately at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Lightway Community Hospice are greatly appreciated.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.