Full Obituary

CASIMIR (CASEY) RUZAK, age 88, of Thorp, passed away peacefully in his sleep, at his home on Sunday, February 8, 2015. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 12, 2015, at 10:30am, at St. Bernard - St. Hedwig's Catholic Church in Thorp. Rev. Charles Hiebl will officiate and burial will follow in St. Hedwig's Catholic Cemetery with members of Thorp American Legion Post #118 serving as pallbearers and providing graveside military rites. Visitation will be held on Thursday, at the church, from 9:30am until time of service.

Casey Ruzak was born on June 30, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois, and was the son of Andrew and Leona (Rendak) Ruzak who were immigrants to the United States. Casey joined the US Army in 1946 and was honorably discharged in 1948. He received a Victory Medal for his service during World War II. After the service, he returned to Chicago, IL and worked as a machine operator for many years.

Casey married Jennie Rachel (Micell) Murolo on October 29, 1972. They moved from Chicago to the Town of WIthee in Thorp, WI shortly after their marriage. Casey work for 11 years as a general laborer at Industrial Fabricators in Thorp until his retirement. Jennie passed away in November 1985. Casey later married Lillian Pearl (Tomczak) Letvinuck on May 21, 1988 at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp. They shared many happy years in the Town of Withee, until Lillian's passing in December 2012.

Casey enjoyed spending time at his home, either gardening or woodworking. Casey was a handyman who liked working on projects. He enjoyed feeding the birds at his home and loved nature. He also liked to go fishing and watching horse races. In his younger days, he enjoyed going to the race track in Chicago to watch the races. Casey enjoyed spending time with his family and talking to them on the phone whenever possible. Casey was a kind and gentle man who spent many of his years caring for, and sharing with, the people he loved.

Casey is survived by his brother Leonard (Joan) Ruzak of Chicago; four step children Ronald (Shirley) Letvinuck of Greenwood, Fred (Cindy) Letvinuck of Greenwood, Louise (George) Olson of San Diego, CA, and Chris Kieffer of Marshfield; several nieces and nephews; as well as extended family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; two previous wives, four brothers, George, Joseph, Stanley and Edward Ruzak as well as two sisters Laura Kopriva and Bernice Novak.