Obituary
Honey Girl was born on May 4th, 1930 to Leo and Ida (nee Grobman) Keller and raised in North Lawndale, one of the most bustling epicenters of Jewish life Chicago has ever known. Her godmother Eva Crystal (a dear friend of her mother’s) “gave a sweet young Elaine the nickname ‘Honey Girl’-a sobriquet that would follow her through her life.” Her childhood was colored by community and with visits to the local theater. In recent years she’d reflect and marvel that her life was “just like the movies.”
Honey Girl graduated from Marshall High School in 1948 and soon afterwards a blind date changed her destiny. She married Jack Rudnick on February 4, 1951 at the Blackstone Hotel in Chicago and the couple spent 54 loving years together.
Honey Girl and Jack made a home for their family in Skokie. She loved playing cards with her girlfriends, hosting family events, worked as a diner waitress, raised three kids, kept an immaculately clean home and traveled the world on cruises and vacations with her husband.
She spent her summers in South Haven, MI from the 1940’s and continued the tradition with new generations of her family through the early 2000’s.
She was a natural comedienne, she craved a laugh, loved the spotlight and knew how to commit to a bit. At just 4’11”, her small stature held an enormous voice. The world is a bit quieter without her.
Remaining to cherish Honey Girl’s memory are her children, Steve (Erica) Rudnick, Chuck (Linda) Rudnick and Cindy (Bob) Wilson; grandchildren, Ryan (Matt), Danny (Loren), Tyler, Eric (Sam), Molly (Jacob), and Aeralyn (Malvin); great-grandchildren, Zoe and Jackson; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Preceding Honey Girl in death are her dear parents, Ida and Leo, her beloved husband Jack Rudnick, her siblings Marvin Keller, Shirley “Sister” Vogel, Don Keller, and many friends, cousins, and relatives.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Honey Girl’s memory may be directed to the National M.S. Society at www.nationalmssociety.org.
Chapel service Friday, February 20th at 12:15 PM at Shalom Memorial Funeral Home, 1700 W. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. Interment Shalom Memorial Park. For the link to virtually view the service, shiva information and to leave condolences, please visit www.shalommemorial.org or call (847) 255-3520.
Service Information
Service : Friday, February 20th at 12:15 pm
Service Location: Shalom Chapel Service -Shalom Memorial Funeral Home
Interment:
Shalom Memorial Park
1700 W. Rand Road
Arlington Heights
Guest Book & Memories
Share your memories and photographs below.
February 20th, 2026
Steve, your mom was at our first show (and countless shows after that). She was so supportive and when we were on stage we could do no wrong. She was proud of you, Chuck and Cindy. And later that same pride was there when she talked about her grandchildren.
Some people pass quietly through this world. Others arrive like a force of nature — and that was Honey Girl. Life felt bigger when she was around. She had the energy of a hurricane and she reshaped the landscape of those blessed to know her. She was a real character in the best sense — bold, vibrant, and completely, unapologetically Honey Girl.
I will miss her.
~Leo Benvenuti
~Comedy/writing partner with Steve Rudnick, Highland Park
February 15th, 2026
Thank you, Nana, for always being an advocate for me, for loving me unconditionally, for making me laugh, for showing me the importance of committing to a bit. Your physical comedy should have been televised.
Thanks for letting me in emotionally. I’m glad we got to write your autobiography together and that there isn’t a question unanswered or a story untold. Not many people get to have the kind of friendship we had, and not many people get to know their grandma well into their 30s. I know how lucky I was, you always told me how lucky you felt to have me too.
I’ll miss you complaining about how cold Aldi’s is, how petite you looked in my passenger seat, our dates at Olive Garden, and how up until the end you still beat me at almost every game of Gin.
I’ll always remember your squeals, your kugel and jell-o molds, your excited voice, your fake Yiddish, your faded Velcro rollers, your manicured nails, my many childhood weekends with you in Skokie… but more than anything I’ll remember how you always made me feel seen, loved, and understood. I was always enough for you.
Tell Papa I say hi, I’ll be watching for signs from you as you look over me through the rest of my life. I’ll always think of you when I close my eyes in the sun, eat a hot-doggy or an frozen waffle, encounter a difficult microwave, watch a South Haven-level sunset or notice a wadded up Kleenex on the floor.
I’m so proud that you were able to live the independent life you wanted, but I’m more thankful that you’re at peace now. Your memory is already such a blessing.
Good show, tot.
~Tyler Wilson
~Grandson, Chicago, IL
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