Ruth W Syens

Ruth Winifred Syens, age 76, formerly of Friesland, died peacefully and entered her heavenly rest on Friday, January 12, 2024, with family by her side at Aspirus Tivoli in Portage.

Ruth was born an instant aunt on Dec. 23, 1947, in Beaver Dam, WI daughter of John Peter and Grace (Homan) Westra, their ninth child. She was a “late in life baby” and her brother Roger’s consummate shadow and tag-a-long. Ruth often regaled tales of her and Roger and her great disdain for calling her “Ruthie”. Ruth had a vibrant youth traveling the winters to California, where her father worked as a driver and her mother as a cook and maid for wealthy California families. A 1966 graduate of Cambria High School, she was known for her participation in forensics, band, and choir. She furthered her education in music as a Mezzo Soprano at UW-Eau Claire and then on to Columbia County Normal Teaching College, where she earned her teaching degree and certificate. Her first teaching job was at Lakeland School from 1969 to 1970. Russell Martin Syens and Ruth united in marriage on August 7, 1970, at the First Reformed Church in Friesland. Many knew Ruth for her beautiful voice, which she joyfully shared at many weddings, funerals, and her home church choir. She loved raising her family and working for the school district as the Librarian at the Friesland Primary School and worked as a teacher at the local migrant camp for several summers. She continued to work as a substitute teacher in the local school districts from 1986 to 1996. Then taught for 12 years at Head Start in Portage. Ruth and her husband Russ were avid bowlers with the Saturday Night Couples League at Tower Lanes. She enjoyed reading, tending to her immaculate flower gardens, sewing, knitting, and crafting. Ruth’s faith, love for children and the sanctity of life led her to serve as a director with the Columbia Co. Pregnancy Resource Center for several years. She joined the First Reformed Church of Friesland (Friesland Community Church) as a senior in high school and maintained her membership there throughout her life, serving many years as its Wednesday Night Catechism Choir Leader, a Coffee Break Bible Study/Craft leader with her sister Muriel, Sunday School Teacher, and it’s Dorcas Circle. Though Alzheimer’s took Ruth’s mind, it could never remove her faith in Jesus Christ.

Ruth will be deeply missed and is survived by her two daughters, Michele (Brad) Bruxvoort of Edgerton, MN, and Andrea Syens of Randolph; two sons, Jason Syens (Melanie Ula) of Janesville and Russell (Julie) Syens of Portage; five grandchildren Gabrielle (Ethan) Oeltjenbruns, Jonathan Syens, Jackson Syens, Tyler (Tiara Castro) Syens and Trey Bruxvoort; two step-grandchildren, Coley Winiecki, and Taylor Winiecki; 1 great-grandchild, Clayton Oeltjebruns; a brother, Roger (Marian) Westra of Denver, CO.; one sister-in-law, Angie Dylak of Beaver Dam; and several other relatives and friends.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her in-laws, 3 brothers and 2 sisters, one sister-in-law, and her husband Russell on June 3, 2019.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, April 13 at the Friesland Community Church with Pastor Darrin Vant Hoff officiating. Interment will follow in Friesland Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call on the family at the church on Saturday from 9 am until the time of service at 10:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to the Pregnancy Resource Center of Portage, Wisconsin.

The Kratz-Smedema Funeral Home in Cambria is serving the family. www.kratzfh.com.