Joyce E. Fieldstad, 85, of Gratiot Township, WI, died Tuesday, December 30, 2014, surrounded by family. Joyce was born March 20, 1929 in Monticello Township, the daughter of the late Roy and Florence (Sowerby) Haffele. She married Robert E. Fieldstad on September 5, 1948 at the Warren Presbyterian Church. Together they raised three daughters; Susan, Sharon and Sandy. Joyce and Bob farmed in the area for many years before Bob's death in 1985. Following her husband's untimely death, she continued to manage the family farm with the help of her son-in-law, Steven Kent.
Joyce pursued a number of volunteer and other activities. Some of these included ceramics, antique bottle collecting using her metal detector and birding in a wide number of locations. She was an avid reader and passed this love of reading to her daughters and grandchildren. She enjoyed reading to children in a number of schools located across Lafayette County. Her most passionate activities surrounded her work with her local Warren United Methodist Church, in which she served in a multitude of roles; and working with the Wisconsin chapter of Home and Community Education (formerly known as State Extension Homemakers). She joined HCE as a young bride, and served 3-year term as state president of the Wisconsin chapter of the HCE from 1994 to 1997, the first president to be elected from Lafayette County.
Many in the area will remember Joyce for her culinary skills. Her pies were delicious, and no holiday meal at the Fieldstad household would be complete without her saffron roles, fruit salad and steamed suet pudding.
Joyce doted on her four grandchildren; Jill, Megan, Matt and Brian. Despite her many activities, she strived to be an active member of their lives by attending as many of their sporting and academic activities as possible.
Above all, Joyce enjoyed traveling. Before her husband's death, the two of them could often be seen touring the area in their restored antique cars. Following Bob's death, she was fortunate to see many parts of the world through her associations with HCE, birding clubs and the United Methodist ministries. For most of her travels, she chose to live with local host families to better understand their culture and way of life.
Joyce is survived by her three daughters: Susan (Michael) Endress of Milwaukee; Sharon (Steven) Kent of Gratiot; and Sandra (William) Wiley of Janesville; four grandchildren: Jill (Cory) Weber of Milwaukee; Megan (Keith) Kenyon of Milwaukee; Matthew (Rachel) Kent of Oregon; and Brian (Heidi) Kent of Deerfield; as well as seven great-grandchildren: Jaydon, Devon, Kaleigha, Allison, Ashton, Gavin and Grady; and her sister-in-law Vivian Kepner, Lena IL.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert, brother Robert Haffele and sister Phyllis Daer.
The family is very appreciative of the loving care provided by Leean White, Glenda Carter, and the staff of the Linden Grove Mukwonago and Seasons Hospice.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at the Bartell-Leamon Funeral Home in Warren IL with Pastor Kevin Cernek officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until time of service at the same location.
A brief interment ceremony will be held at the Gratiot Cemetery immediately following the service with a luncheon at the Warren Community House for a further celebration of Joyce's life.
A memorial fund in Joyce's name has been created to be disbursed to her favorite charitable organizations.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.leamonfh.com.
Joyce pursued a number of volunteer and other activities. Some of these included ceramics, antique bottle collecting using her metal detector and birding in a wide number of locations. She was an avid reader and passed this love of reading to her daughters and grandchildren. She enjoyed reading to children in a number of schools located across Lafayette County. Her most passionate activities surrounded her work with her local Warren United Methodist Church, in which she served in a multitude of roles; and working with the Wisconsin chapter of Home and Community Education (formerly known as State Extension Homemakers). She joined HCE as a young bride, and served 3-year term as state president of the Wisconsin chapter of the HCE from 1994 to 1997, the first president to be elected from Lafayette County.
Many in the area will remember Joyce for her culinary skills. Her pies were delicious, and no holiday meal at the Fieldstad household would be complete without her saffron roles, fruit salad and steamed suet pudding.
Joyce doted on her four grandchildren; Jill, Megan, Matt and Brian. Despite her many activities, she strived to be an active member of their lives by attending as many of their sporting and academic activities as possible.
Above all, Joyce enjoyed traveling. Before her husband's death, the two of them could often be seen touring the area in their restored antique cars. Following Bob's death, she was fortunate to see many parts of the world through her associations with HCE, birding clubs and the United Methodist ministries. For most of her travels, she chose to live with local host families to better understand their culture and way of life.
Joyce is survived by her three daughters: Susan (Michael) Endress of Milwaukee; Sharon (Steven) Kent of Gratiot; and Sandra (William) Wiley of Janesville; four grandchildren: Jill (Cory) Weber of Milwaukee; Megan (Keith) Kenyon of Milwaukee; Matthew (Rachel) Kent of Oregon; and Brian (Heidi) Kent of Deerfield; as well as seven great-grandchildren: Jaydon, Devon, Kaleigha, Allison, Ashton, Gavin and Grady; and her sister-in-law Vivian Kepner, Lena IL.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert, brother Robert Haffele and sister Phyllis Daer.
The family is very appreciative of the loving care provided by Leean White, Glenda Carter, and the staff of the Linden Grove Mukwonago and Seasons Hospice.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at the Bartell-Leamon Funeral Home in Warren IL with Pastor Kevin Cernek officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until time of service at the same location.
A brief interment ceremony will be held at the Gratiot Cemetery immediately following the service with a luncheon at the Warren Community House for a further celebration of Joyce's life.
A memorial fund in Joyce's name has been created to be disbursed to her favorite charitable organizations.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.leamonfh.com.