JOYCE FRANCES WEIZENICKER passed on to eternal life on Jan. 18, 2022 at her home in Tomahawk, with her husband and daughters by her side. She was under the care of Compassus Hospice.
Joyce was born on June 6, 1934, in Milwaukee, Wis. She was the only child of Walter and Olga Herbert. After high school, she was employed for 10 years by Wisconsin Telephone Company as a Layout Artist in the Advertising Department. She was an accomplished artist and was very proud of her oil paintings displayed in her home.
She married David Weizenicker of Tomahawk on Nov. 28, 1964. They resided four years in Devil’s Lake State Park, where David was the Park Superintendent. David was transferred to the Department of Natural Resources Headquarters in Madison in 1968 and they resided in Middleton for the next 29 years.
Upon retirement in 1997, Joyce and David moved to their vacation home on the Tomahawk River for a few years. Then they moved to Rockport, Tex., to spend easier winters and to have time to travel the world. Over the next 20 years, they travelled to all seven continents, visited over 90 countries, were abroad more than 40 times and spent time in every state in the U.S., including visiting Hawaii twice and Alaska three times.
When Joyce was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer in October of 2016, they remained at their seasonal home at Clear Lake Condos in Tomahawk. Joyce fought a stiff battle with the cancer but finally had to concede graciously and with great courage and dignity to the Will of God.
Joyce was a full-time Homemaker. She was a wonderful mother for their two adopted daughters. She enjoyed providing support for their daughters as they grew into adulthood. She assisted with the Girl Scouts, Religious Education and various sports during the school years. She was proud of their decision to attend Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart, Mount Mary College and Marquette University. She was a volunteer for a number of Knights of Columbus activities.
In later years, she enjoyed summer stays by their two grandchildren, who referred to her as “Up north Grandma.”
She is survived by David, her husband of 57 years, their two daughters, Jo Ann (Scott) Kuharske of Hartford, Wis., Susan (Michael) Walton of Chicago, Ill., and her two grandsons Leopold and Raymond Kuharske.
Joyce was a beautiful, quiet, private, and non-assuming person. She was very comfortable in her choice of life and pleasures and requested that their headstone read “God gave us a wonderful life together.” She expressed numerous times that he had!
They had many friends in Rockport and Tomahawk and stayed in touch with fellow travelers from around the country.
She was very appreciative of the many prayer lists, cards, and phone calls from family and friends over the years. When she learned of the disease and the probable outcome, she and David experienced the joy of living in the moment and spent quiet time together recalling their family memories and travel experiences.
Joyce requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made for St. Jude’s Children’s Cancer Research Hospital. She established an endowment fund several years ago for this purpose. Joyce & David Weizenicker Endowment Fund for St. Jude’s Hospital–Donations can be sent to the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin located at 500 First St., Suite 2600, Wausau, Wis., 54403, or made online.
A Memorial Service was held at Grace Lutheran Church at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. Pastor Julie Barger officiated. The family received friends at the church Saturday morning from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Face masks were required at Grace Lutheran Church.
Krueger Family Funeral Home, Tomahawk, assisted the family with arrangements. You may view the obituary and share online condolences at www.kruegerfamilyfuneral.com.