Joyce L. Rufer, age 81, of Monroe passed away peacefully on Monday, June 23, 2025 at her home following a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. She was born on January 15, 1944 the daughter of Lewis Merrill and Martha (Reimer) Reed. She attended the one room rural school in Gratiot, graduating from Gratiot High School. She went on to earn her teaching degree from UW Platteville. On February 1, 1966 she married Gene Rufer at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Warren, IL.
Joyce taught Kindergarten before she stayed home to care for her growing family. Over the years she also worked for Swiss Colony doing home typing, Frito Lay, and babysat in her home for many years. Joyce was a great cook; she catered many meals, several weddings as well as baking wedding cakes and birthday cakes. She also taught a baking class at Blackhawk Tech and Sunday School. Joyce was always busy, whether doing alterations, making wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses, or helping in the garden. Joyce loved going polka dancing with Gene, crocheting, canning, and traveling with her family. Since Gene's retirement in 2012, Joyce and her husband enjoyed winters in Arizona, where they made many friends.
Joyce is survived by her husband, Gene of Monroe; children, Renee Rufer, Kelli Rufer both of Monroe, Deena (Jerry) Adkins of Juda, Lonna (Brad) Bevard of New River, AZ, Nikki VanNatta of Monroe, Dr. Shann Rufer of Hampton, VA, Errin (Shane) Olson of Monroe, Chadd (Catherine) Rufer of Milwaukee, WI, Brett (Gordana) Rufer of Phoenix, AZ, and Torry (Amanda) Rufer of Oak Creek, WI; grandchildren, Morgan (Paxton) Bauer, Riley (Lucas) Spellman, Taylor Adkins, Blake Adkins, Brady Bevard, Macy Bevard, Antonio Addison, Brandon (fiancé, McKenna Hess) Addison, Makayla VanNatta, Kyle Olson, Haylie Olson, Ashleigh Olson, Timothy Olson, Jonathan Olson, Emilee Olson, Nathan Olson, Lily Olson, Paisley Olson, Bridget Rufer, Leon Rufer, Madison Rufer, and Brooklynn Rufer; great-grandchildren, Eveland, Penelope, Whittaker, Ayden, and Knox; brother, Orval Reed; and many nieces, nephews, and extended relatives including, Tressa, Ellie, and Reese Speckman.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Lewis Reed and Dwight Reed; sisters, Margaret Wehinger and Pauline Ferguson; and son-in-law, Mike VanNatta.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, July 4, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Jordan Lutheran Church with Pastor Paxton Bauer officiating. Burial will follow at Jordan Lutheran Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 3, 2025 from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Shriner Hager Gohlke Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family at: shgfuneralhome.net.
Joyce’s family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Agrace HospiceCare especially, Liz and Tajuanna for all the loving care they showed Joyce.
