Ruth Ann Novak

By the Grace of God, Ruth Ann Novak was received into the waiting arms of her Savior Jesus Christ on March 25, 2025. She battled metastatic breast cancer and post-polio syndrome since 2020.
Ruth was born on February 6, 1946, to Peter and Elda (Messerschmidt) Siekierka. Ruth was baptized at St. John's Lutheran Church in Princeton. She later received her elementary education at St. John's Lutheran School where she was also confirmed. She continued her education at Princeton High School, graduating in 1964. Following graduation she attended Milwaukee Accredited School of Cosmetology. Later in life she took classes at the UW School of Business to start her own business.
On July 30, 1966, she married Dennis Novak as he returned home from Vietnam. Following their marriage they lived at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where Dennis served his remaining two years in the Marine Corps. Ruth worked on base in their hair salon while living there.
After being discharged from service, they made their home in Madison, WI. They have two sons, Steven and Darin. Ruth worked part-time as the boys grew up. In 1987, Ruth was hired to manage the Glemby hair salon at the new Boston Store in Madison. In 1992, she was called to start her own business. Ruth started "Special Care Salon Services" in Madison, which encompassed a regular working salon plus many special services. Always wanting to help people, she extended her services to home shut-ins, hospitals, care facilities and retirement complexes. Ruth serviced over 15 facilities over the years, the largest housing over 500 residents. She also worked with the State of Wisconsin serving on several committees for Regulation and Licensing. She attended special education in fitting custom cranial prosthesis and trained to be a volunteer for the Cancer Society. Her business helped many people in need and made them smile. God always blessed her with a wonderful staff, including Zeone Salzwedel, a special friend, who worked by her side in helping run and grow the business. Ruth sold the business and returned to Princeton for retirement. God led her way through life with so many blessings.
Ruth's love for God was always evident. She loved being there to help those in need. Her family was precious to her. She was so very proud of her sons as they grew up starting a business together and still continuing to this day. She loved traveling with her family on their many trips to Mexico, Florida and many other states.
Ruth was a member of Eastside Lutheran Church in Madison for over 40 years. She served as a greeter for many of those years, along with library volunteer, and funeral committee. After relocating to Princeton in retirement, she became a member at St. John's Lutheran Church. She was also a partner in Time of Grace Ministry.
Ruth is survived by her husband, Dennis Novak; 2 sons, Steven (Christle) Novak and Darin (Natasha) Novak; 5 grandchildren, Harrison, Morgan; Hadley, Maquel and Mariah; other relatives and friends. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Elda Siekierka.
A funeral service for Ruth Novak will be held on Tuesday, April1, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m., at St. John's Lutheran Church, 226 S. Clinton St., in Princeton. Pastor John Stelter will officiate. Ruth will be laid to rest following the service in the Memory Hill Cemetery in Princeton. Please visit our website www.wachholzandsons.com to send a condolence or to share a memory of Ruth with her family.
In lieu of flowers, in Ruth's memory, memorial contributions for mission work to spread the Gospel in her name can be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, 226 S. Clinton St, Princeton, WI 54968 sjlprinceton.com or Time of Grace, PO Box 301 Milwaukee, WI 53201 timeofgrace.org. Reaching souls that do not know the Lord is the ultimate gift one can make.
A special thank you to Pastor Stelter, Pastor Hanneman and the Vicars for the many home visits. Also, much appreciated were the calls from Time of Grace. A real blessing for sharing God's word and giving communion.
"Praise the Lord for He is good His mercy endures forever."
Wachholz and Sons Funeral Home
Sunset Cremation Center in Princeton
Serving the Family, 920-295-6631
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