On January 15, 2014, Ruth A. Danczyk, 63, was taken to heaven after a courageous fight with cancer. She was born in Marshfield on July 16, 1950, to Tillie (Vakoc) and the late Frank Shirek Sr. She grew up in the Milladore/Junction City area.

Ruth graduated from P.J. Jacobs High School in 1968. She later received a Certified Nursing Assistant degree.

Her marriage to Dennis Danczyk took place on Aug. 2, 1969, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Milladore. The couple lived in Janesville until 1970. Ruth was a homemaker and did the bookkeeping for Danczyk Farm and Forest Products all these years. She worked at various places and, in 1994, was employed as a CNA at Portage County Health Care Center where she touched many lives with her gentle touch and her caring personality.

Ruth enjoyed dancing the polka with her husband, gardening, cooking, baking, traveling and spending time with her family. She said her dream was to be a mother. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren. They were all so very special to her.

Survivors include her loving husband of 44 years, Dennis Danczyk of Stevens Point; four children, Debi (Roman) Jakubek, Brian (Michele) Danczyk, Renee Danczyk (Chad Dally) of Stevens Point, and Kevin (Jami) Danczyk of Lolo, MT; mother, Tillie Shirek; sisters,  Sharon (Bob) Hollar and Janice (Len) Rozek; sister-in-law, Phyllis Shirek; brothers, Don (Barb) Shirek, Gary (Jeanette) Shirek and Dale Shirek. She had ten grandchildren, Rochelle, Darren and Andrea Jakubek; Mckennah, Madisyn, Briele and Brayden Danczyk; Spencer Jones, Tilli and Alexis Danczyk, as well as many other extended family members.

Ruth was preceded in death by her father, Frank Shirek Sr., and brother, Frank “Butch” Shirek Jr.

A very special thank you to the doctors, nurses, CNAs, and staff at the Wausau Aspirus Hospital Oncology Unit and Cancer Center, as well as the staff at Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services. Also, thank you to many family members and friends for the cards and prayers.

The Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014, at St. Mary’s-Torun Catholic Church with the Rev. Mark Danczyk and Rev. Gregory Michaud concelebrating. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Pisarski/Dzikoski Funeral Home, Stevens Point, is assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit pisarskifuneralhome.com (715)344-4595.