Moms with young children in tow, Little Leaguers fresh off a baseball win, as well as ice cream lovers of all ages craving a scoop, sundae or shake have been coming to Highland Queen Drive-in in La Grange Highlands since the 1950s.
And at the center of it all, for nearly the last half-century, was Ruth Leonchik.
She became co-owner of the eatery in 1970 with her then 21-year-old son, who had been working there since he was a teenager and was given the chance to become a partner in the business.
He didn’t have enough money, but she — after having worked various jobs while raising her children, including a stint as a carhop at an A&W restaurant — did.
“Mom saw it as a great opportunity for me, so she gave me financial support and offered her skills as a cook,” said her son, Larry. “Without her backing, there’s no way I could have done it.”
In 1974, the two bought their partner out, and together grew the business on 55th Street just west of Willow Springs Road, expanding the menu and making it into a destination for many in the neighborhood and beyond.
“I’m not a fast-food person, per se, but whenever I want a burger and fries, I head over to Highland Queen — not just for the food, but because of Ruthie,” said longtime customer Mic Cagney, of Western Springs. “No one made me feel more welcome, appreciated or just plain happy. She was an absolute angel.”
Mrs. Leonchik, 87, who due to health issues in recent years had scaled back her kitchen duties but still greeted customers from her perch at the long blue table at the back of the restaurant, died Saturday, May 9, at her home in Willow Springs, of complications related to a fall.
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For her many customers attempting to dine with rambunctious youngsters — coaches, parents, grandparents — Mrs. Leonchik’s mere presence made for an atmosphere where all could relax.
“Her love of children and the way she’d have that amused look on her face, even when kids were squirming and falling out of their chairs or getting so excited that they’d knock over the ketchup, is what endeared her to so many of us parents,” said Cagney, who started coming to the Highland Queen about 30 years ago when her son was a baby. “During times like that, you could always count on Ruthie to say just the right thing or make a funny face that would put everyone at ease.
“Even when it was hard for the rest of us, she’d somehow find the joy in life’s ups and its downs.”
“I don’t think there was a child in our restaurant that could ever do wrong,” added Mrs. Leonchik’s son, laughing. “She just loved having them around.”
Born Ruth Daly in Berwyn, Mrs. Leonchik was raised in the La Grange area. Growing up, she taught herself how to cook and developed recipes in her head that she later whipped up for her family and recreated for the restaurant.
“Being a cook was so much a part of her life,” her son said. “We grew up enjoying her homemade chili, soups and pastries. Once she starting cooking at the restaurant, our business seemed to double.”
Other survivors include her husband of 69 years, Raymond; son, David; daughters, Sharon Ligon and Deborah Stabrawa; brothers, Ray Daly Jr., David Daly, Edward Daly and James Daly; sister, Donna Plesha; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Services were held.
Kates is a freelance reporter.