Louise Allen Rucker Connor was born on June 20, 1938 in Chicago, IL to Dr. Ralph Weller and Laura Allen Rucker. Her family moved to Bartlesville in 1939, and except for two years in Wichita Falls, TX while Dr. Rucker was in the Air Force, Louise lived nearly her entire life in Bartlesville. She graduated from Bartlesville College High School in 1956, attended the University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK, and returned to Bartlesville to be with her family. She started her life-long career as a devoted wife and mother when she married James William Connor of Tulsa, OK at St. John Catholic Church on February 27, 1960. They were blessed with four children: James W. Connor, Jr., Laura Connor Blight, Patrick M. Connor, MD, and Andrew A. Connor. Jim, Jr. lives in Tulsa with his wife, Amy, and their children Anna Louise and John Austin. Laura and her husband, Andrew J. Blight, live in Tulsa with their children Emma Claire, Mary Ellen, Andrew John, Jr., and Benjamin Allen. Patrick and his wife, Terry, live in Charlotte, NC with their children William Ryan, Blair Cathleen, Jennifer Grace and Caroline Dahl. Drew lives in Tulsa with his daughter, Abigail Jane. Louise and Jim's children and grandchildren were always the lights of their lives. Louise was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Jim, her parents Ralph and Laura, and her beloved sister, Rosalind Rucker Dick. She is survived by her two brothers, Ralph W. Rucker II, MD and Clinton Allen Rucker, her children, grandchildren and eight nieces and nephews. Louise devoted her life to her family and friends as well as the community of Bartlesville. She provided dedicated support to her husband during his esteemed political career, she traveled endlessly in support of her children who participated in local, regional and national tennis tournaments, and she served on and volunteered in several community organizations such as the Bartlesville Service League, PTA, Girls Scouts, Boy Scouts, and St. John Catholic Church. She was a long-standing and loyal member of Chapter CH, P.E.O. where she served as President and was recently recognized for her 50 years of devoted service. A memorial has been established and those who wish to contribute may do so in lieu of flowers to the Chapter CH, P.E.O., c/o Mrs. Claudie Pratt, 2405 Glynnwood Dr., Bartlesville, OK 74006. Honorary Casket escorts include Ralph W. Rucker II, MD, Clinton Allen Rucker, John Austin Connor, William Ryan Connor, William Allen Rucker, Patrick Kevin Ritchie, and Robert Hughes. A Mass of the resurrection will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 9, 2010 in the sanctuary of St. John Catholic Church with The Reverend Festus Maliwa officiating. Rosary for Mrs. Connor will be said at 7:00 pm on Friday in the sanctuary of St. John Catholic Church with The Reverend Festus Maliwa officiating. Final committal rites will be accorded Mrs. Connor on the family plot of the Memorial Park Cemetery where she will be laid to rest for eternity next to her loving and devoted husband. Funeral services are under the direction of the Neekamp-Luginbuel Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com. The Connor family would like to express special thanks to all of Louise's caregivers as well as the professionals at Carter Hospice.
Service Details
Saturday, January 9th, 2010 2:00pm, St. John Before The Latin Gate
Interment Details
Memorial Park Cemetery Bartlesville