Ruth M. McCarthy, age 85, of 1121 Viebahn Street, Manitowoc, entered eternal life Friday evening, January 20, 2012 at her residence with her family by her side.

Ruth was born October 9, 1926 at Clarks Mills, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of the late Louis and Agnes Jirik Denk. Ruth attended Valders High School and graduated with the class of 1945. She had been employed with Leverenz She Factory, Lakeland Egg Company, and Ma's Drive Inn in Valders over the years. On October 8, 1947 she married LeRoy G. "Mac" McCarthy at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Clarks Mills. He preceded her in death on February 12, 2005.

Ruth will be remembered for her chocolate chip cookies, her Delicious Delight, her homemade dumplings, fudge, seafoam, crumb cake and her crocheted hangers. She will also be remembered for her generosity and thoughtfulness to others. Ruth also loved giving and receiving hugs.

She is survived by three children: Linda (Jeff) Preiss, Sheboygan, WI and their children, Jenna (Brad) Rodewald of Manitowoc and their children, Callie Preiss (special friend Tyler Gass), Hannah Lesperance and Kiersten Rodewald; Chad (Sarah) Preiss of Alaska and their daughter, Maya; John (Sandy) McCarthy of Cato and their children, Casey (Tim) Hein of Madison and Davis, Peyton and Jade; Rebecca (Matt) Wagner of Carbondale, CO and their unborn child; Theresa McCarthy (fiance' Josh Redo) of Manitowoc, Brittany McCarthy (special friend Austin McCulley) of Cato; Connie (Tom) O'Malley of Monte Rio, Ca and their children Jiriah, Nolan, Colin (Julie Karasik) and their children, Sasha, Ronin and Naomi; four sisters: Georgiana Witt, Patricia Crittendon, Marge (Fred) Burkart all of Manitowoc; Betty (Bob) Christel, St. Nazianz, WI. She is also survived by one brother-in-law: Earl McCarthy; two sisters-in-law: Charlotte Mae (Bill) Redding and Margie Engelbrecht; many nieces, nephews along with other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers: Louis and John Denk; two sisters: Dolores Kohlbeck and Irene Zipperer; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Veronica (Lester) Gerl, Lorraine (Jim) Fischer, Lauretta (Frank) Bartel, Robert Kohlbeck, Art Zipperer, Bill Crittendon, Eddie Engelbrecht, Lloyd Witt, Paul Vogel and Shirley McCarthy; two nephews: Steve Vogel and Butch Engelbrecht; one grandson: Bevin O'Malley.

Memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Clarks Mills. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Richard Klingeisen with burial of her cremated remains will take place at St. Mary's Catholic Church Cemetery following the mass. Relatives and friends may call at St. Mary's Catholic Church on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at 11:00 a.m.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Lynn Baatz and the staff of the Cancer Care Center at Holy Family Memorial Medical Center; Dr. Mark Herring, Kathy and Ann; Dr. Sean Benham; Holy Family Memorial Hospice staff and Jane Resar for their compassionate care and support given to Ruth and her family.

The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.