Dorothy June Danczyk

Dorothy June Danczyk, 95, of Hayward, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at Hayward Health Services.  She reunited with her beloved husband, Walt, who preceded her in death.

Born on June 29, 1931, in Polonia, Wisconsin, Dorothy was the fifth of six children of Dan and Anne Omernik. She graduated from UW-Stevens Point with a degree in elementary education and devoted many years to teaching, including at Boylan and Kinnamon schools.

Dorothy married Walt Danczyk in 1956, and together they built a life centered on faith, family, and hard work.  After moving to the Hayward area in 1959, they raised five children while operating Pine Aire Trailer Park and Danczyk Oil.  Dorothy balanced teaching, raising her family, and helping with the family businesses, all while remaining active in St. Joseph Catholic Church, singing in the choir, serving as president of the Sawyer County Homemakers, and returning each summer to Polonia for the church picnic.

She loved traveling to visit her children across the country and abroad and treasured a visit to Rome, where she and four of her grandkids attended Mass celebrated by her beloved Pope John Paul II.  Dorothy was known for her kindness, strong opinions rooted in compassion, her love of music and the joy she found in family gatherings.

After the heartbreaking loss of two sons, Randy and Steve, and her husband Walt, Dorothy showed remarkable resilience.  She found renewed happiness in watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow.

Dorothy is survived by her sons, Gary (Annell) and John (Bonnie); her daughter Jody; grandchildren Brad, Anne (Janson), Jennifer (Joe), Jacob, Tom (Molly), Matt (Sarah), Brittney, Paul (Paige), Megan (Jono), Luke, Nevaeh; and ten great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00pm on Friday, July 31, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hayward, WI, with visitation beginning at 11:00am.  Internment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.  A luncheon will be held afterwards at St. Joseph Parish Hall.

One of Grandma Dot’s favorite song lyrics she often shared with her children, grand and great grandchildren included a favorite stanza: “I see the moon, the moon sees me, down through the leaves of the old oak tree.  Please let the light that shines on me shine on the ones that I love”.   Those words beautifully reflect a life well lived and deeply loved.

Hayward Funeral Home is privileged to serve the family.

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