Joyce E. Schulte, 77, of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin passed peacefully in the presence of her loving family on the afternoon of July 7, 2010.
Joyce was born to Ralph D. and Alma (Larson) Brown on October 6th, 1932 in Hettinger, ND, the eldest of her sister Phyllis A. and brother Donald P. During The Great Depression the family relocated from the North Dakota farm to Belle Fourche, SD, where all siblings graduated high school.
Joyce became a graduate nurse with the Sioux Valley Hospital School of Nursing class of 1954 and earned her Bachelors Degree in Nursing Education at South Dakota State College in 1955.
She and three college friends maintained a “round robin” letter until her death. It was on a train between the college and her home in the Black Hills that she met her future husband, George J. Although a formal wedding was planned, they were married in an abbreviated ceremony September 21, 1953 in Belle Fourche, just before he shipped for the Korean War.
After his return in 1954, George and Joyce began a household in Ottumwa, Iowa where she taught at St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing. In 1960 they relocated to Rockford, Illinois where two children came into their lives – son Douglas James and daughter Susan Marie. In 1968 they moved to her final residence in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. In 1972, after her children were in grade school, she completed a Master's Degree at Marquette University before teaching pediatric nursing at UWM, Deaconess Hospital, and MATC.
With George she was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Elm Grove. As a couple they were formidable card players in two bridge groups, and also attended many baseball and basketball games. Joyce greatly enjoyed children and sometimes dreamed about them visiting her, especially when she was ill. She loved to collect small items for home decorating, do needle crafts, dine out, travel, swim, research genealogy, and dine and reminisce with family at holidays.
Neighbors remember her as an intelligent, caring person who loved to apply her medical knowledge for the benefit of others.
Joyce is survived by George, her husband and best friend of nearly 60 years, children Doug and Susan, and sister Phyllis. She is preceded in death by her brother Don. Visitation with the family will take place at 10 AM on Tuesday, July 13th, 2010 in the atrium of St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1260 Church Street, Elm Grove, WI.
After his return in 1954, George and Joyce began a household in Ottumwa, Iowa where she taught at St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing. In 1960 they relocated to Rockford, Illinois where two children came into their lives – son Douglas James and daughter Susan Marie. In 1968 they moved to her final residence in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. In 1972, after her children were in grade school, she completed a Master's Degree at Marquette University before teaching pediatric nursing at UWM, Deaconess Hospital, and MATC.
With George she was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Elm Grove. As a couple they were formidable card players in two bridge groups, and also attended many baseball and basketball games. Joyce greatly enjoyed children and sometimes dreamed about them visiting her, especially when she was ill. She loved to collect small items for home decorating, do needle crafts, dine out, travel, swim, research genealogy, and dine and reminisce with family at holidays.
Neighbors remember her as an intelligent, caring person who loved to apply her medical knowledge for the benefit of others.
Joyce is survived by George, her husband and best friend of nearly 60 years, children Doug and Susan, and sister Phyllis. She is preceded in death by her brother Don. Visitation with the family will take place at 10 AM on Tuesday, July 13th, 2010 in the atrium of St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1260 Church Street, Elm Grove, WI.
Afterward Joyce's life will be honored with a funeral mass held at 11 AM, Father Laurin Wenig officiating. A reception will follow at Alioto's Restaurant, 3041 North Mayfair Road. Per her wishes, the body will be cremated, with ashes memorialized in a double burial plot at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Elm Grove.
Arrangements are being made by Becker Ritter Funeral Home of Brookfield. The family wishes to thank the many friends and neighbors who have called, visited, and offered prayers and support during Joyce's and her family's time of need. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, please make a memorial donation to The Children's Health Fund, The American Heart Association, The American Diabetes Association, or your favorite charity.
She is Gone
Author unknown
You can shed tears that she is gone
or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.
Your heart can be empty because you can't see her
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her and only that she's gone
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
or you can do what she'd want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
Arrangements are being made by Becker Ritter Funeral Home of Brookfield. The family wishes to thank the many friends and neighbors who have called, visited, and offered prayers and support during Joyce's and her family's time of need. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, please make a memorial donation to The Children's Health Fund, The American Heart Association, The American Diabetes Association, or your favorite charity.
She is Gone
Author unknown
You can shed tears that she is gone
or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.
Your heart can be empty because you can't see her
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her and only that she's gone
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
or you can do what she'd want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
