Ruth Ann Smits

ANTIGO - Ruth Ann Smits, age 89 of Antigo, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Ruth was born in Chicago, IL on Dec. 11, 1932, to Norbert and Elsie Mae (Franc) Pischke. She married Robert E. Smits on July 4, 1959, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in De Pere. They moved to Antigo in 1960 where they opened up the John Canning CPA office.

Ruth was an active member and volunteer of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and school for many years. She was also an active member of the community having served in the Antigo Jaycettes, Association for Mentally Handicapped Citizens, and chairperson for the Langlade County Easter Seals. She also served as a 4H Leader and as a member of Antigo School Board. Her dedication and service to her family, church, and community was recognized as she was awarded “Mother of the Year” in 1979.

Ruth enjoyed golf, playing cards, and was very talented at crafts and needlework, giving many of works to family, friends, and charitable fundraisers. Ruth loved being at her cottage on Bass Lake and most importantly, spending time with family. She will be remembered as a loving, faithful, and humble person who always put others first.

Ruth is survived by her six children, David (Nancy), Gary (Jackie), Michael (Cindy), Anne (Dale) Cejka, Todd (Beth), and Laura (Craig) Husnick; 11 grandchildren, Stephanie (Charles) Bird, John (Emily) Cejka, Matt Smits, Lauren (Tyler) Leurquin, Liz, Meghan, Sami (fiancé, Matt Braun) and Brad Smits, Tyler Husnick, Jackson Smits, and Garrett Husnick. Ruth was just a few months from seeing her first great-grandson. She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her parents; her sister, Mary Pischke; brother, Jim Pischke; and many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

A visitation will take place at ST. JOHN CATHOLIC CHURCH, 415 6th Ave., Antigo, on Friday, March 11, 2022, from 3 p.m. until the time of Mass of Christian Burial at 5 p.m. A luncheon will follow at North Star Lanes, 400 Prosser Place. Private burial will take place on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, it was Ruth’s request that a scholarship fund be established. Ruth’s family would like to thank the staff at Evergreen for the care provided to our mother and grandmother these past several months. Your dedicated and loving care is appreciated more than you know. Online condolences may be made at www.strasserrollerfuneralhome.com.