Nancy Therese (Stripe) Labyak, age 87, of Ontonagon, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Nancy was born in Ontonagon on May 29, 1938. She attended Ontonagon High School until 1954, her junior year, when her family left Ontonagon to move to Joliet, Illinois. She graduated from Saint Francis Academy, an all-girls Catholic school, in 1956. Following her calling to care for others, she attended The Little Company of Mary nursing school, graduating as a registered nurse in 1960; a profession she first chose because she thought the nurses' caps were cute, but one she came to embody with deep compassion and skill.

After nursing school, Nancy joined the Peace Corps, serving in Malaysia. She was in the first group chosen by President John F. Kennedy to serve in the Peace Corps. After her service, she later returned to Ontonagon after her father's passing. On September 4, 1965, she married John Labyak, and together they started their family and life on the farm on the Woodspur Road.

Nancy's career in nursing touched countless lives in her community. She worked as an RN for Doctors Lahti and Gervae. After her retirement she worked at the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department, and the Ontonagon Memorial Hospital. She was known for her gentleness, and many patients fondly remembered her as the nurse who gave the most painless shots.

Life on the farm kept Nancy endlessly busy, raising four children, helping with the chores, tending her garden, preserving food, and preparing the best homemade meals. She was a devoted 4-H leader and even traveled to Japan as a chaperone for the 4H/LABO foreign exchange program.

Gifted with her hands, Nancy was exceptionally talented in sewing, knitting, quilting, cross-stitch, embroidery, and weaving. She seemed able to master anything she tried. Her green thumb made her garden and house plants flourish. She loved to downhill and cross-country ski and take walks up the Woodspur Road or out into the woods. In her earlier years, she gave generously of her time, volunteering with the Ontonagon County Cancer Association and St. Vincent de Paul.

Nancy's Catholic faith was central to her life. She considered herself a born-again Christian, served her parish as a communion minister, and helped guide others into the Catholic faith through the RCIA program.

She loved animals, especially her dogs, cats, and beloved chickens. Above all, Nancy cherished her family. She was her children's and grandchildren's biggest sports fan, cheering for them on the field, court, and ice. She adored her twelve grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and was always quick to put the needs of others before her own. Nancy will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, nurse, friend, and servant of God. Her legacy of faith, kindness, and devotion will live on in all who knew her.

She is survived by her brother Robert (Margaret) Stripe, her sister Helen Murray, sisters-in law Dawn Willman and Jan Labyak, and her children, Jon (Cheryl) Labyak, David (Elissa) Labyak, Robert (Katie) Labyak and Betsy (David) Guilbault along with her grandchildren Jenny and Georgia Labyak, Madison Labyak, Marissa (Sam) Collaer, Evan Labyak, Devin (Justin) Garrett, Bryce and Brenna Labyak, Maddie and Clara Olivier, Shelby (Jesse) Anderson and Brady Guilbault; three great grandchildren, Everett and Noel Anderson and Maija Collaer. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Theresa Stripe, her husband John, brothers-in-law Charles Labyak and John Willman, and her brother and sister-in-law David and Dorothy Stripe.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Ontonagon on Friday, October 17, 2025. Visitation will be held at 9:00 am, with Mass to follow at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at the Holy Family Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Nancy's name to St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Cane Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

St. Vincent de Paul Society
122 Greenland Rd. Suite B, Ontonagon MI 49953
Tel: 1-906-884-4177