Irene Ruk

Racine – Irene (nee: Janiak) Ruk, 83, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, March 29, 2009 at Becker-Shoop Center. A lifetime resident, Irene was born on August 30, 1925 to the late Joseph and Constance Janiak. On August 3, 1945 she was united in marriage with the love of her life, Henry W. Ruk, who preceded her in death on November 29, 1997. With profound faith in her God, she was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. Prior, she had been a member of St. Edward Church for 30 years. Irene fulfilled her lifelong passion of being a tireless homemaker who cared for her husband, children and grandchildren. She was a fantastic cook and phenomenal baker. Above all, she loved and cherished being in the surroundings of her entire family. Surviving are her children, Gerald Ruk of Racine; Joan (Lawrence) Brown of Yorkville; Adele (Barry) Brunow of Union Grove; and Diane (Michael) Hofmann of Oak Creek; grandchildren, Joshua and Sam Ruk; Steven and Kevin Brown; and Sara, Carolyn and Marie Hofmann; great-grandson, Aiden; sisters, Eva Garbarek, Emily Arndt and Adele Spieker; brothers, Leo and Lawrence Janiak; sister-in-law, Betty Janiak; former daughter-in-law, Evelyn Milich-Ruk; many dear nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, Irene was preceded in death by her brothers, Edward, Chester (Olga), Frank (Stephanie), and Matthew Janiak; sisters-in-law, Rosemary Janiak and Josephine (William) Kyser; brothers-in-law, Clarence Garbarek, Henry Arndt and Eugene Spieker. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, April 2, 2009 at 11:00 am in St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring St., with Rev. William J. Dietzler officiating. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Wednesday from 5-7 pm and in the church on Thursday from 10-11 am. In memory of Irene, memorials to the Make-A-Wish Foundation or to Hospice Alliance have been suggested. A heartfelt note of thanks to the entire staff of Willowgreen for providing Mom with a beautiful place to live for the past 5 years; and to Becker-Shoop Center and Hospice Alliance for the compassionate end-of-life care and support that was so gently extended. May God bless all of you!