Joyce Jefferson
Joyce Rose Jefferson died March 5th, 2022, at home from pancreatic cancer. She was born October 28, 1949, the fourth daughter of Wayne and Betty Jefferson of Friendship, WI. She lived on the family farm.
Joyce worked in Madison for the State of Wisconsin, for Briggs and Stratton in Milwaukee, and for the city of Milwaukee – first in licensing and permits, and then in Street Maintenance Services. Joyce liked to drive the big trucks, claiming her job was screwing in lightbulbs. Much more than that, her routes were meticulously maintained. Joyce was frequently reassigned to routes that had fallen behind.
After the death of her father, she moved back to Friendship to run the farm with her mother. They had a pick-your-own strawberry patch, raspberries, and apples. They grew asparagus for customers and a local grocery store. Joyce was a farmer with a talent for raising calves, fruit, and vegetables.
Joyce took loving care of her mother in the last years of her life. Betty was lost in 2013.
Joyce was Clerk for the Township of Adams from 1997 to 2017, a position she took over from her mother and her grandmother before her.
A free spirit, lover of nature and animals, Joyce asked little for herself and gave her time generously to various local charities. She was quick with a laugh and always enjoyed a drink and a good talk with friends. Here’s to the life of a good, kind soul.
She is survived by her siblings, Mary (W. David Olson), Stoughton, WI; Merna, Neillsville, WI; Marcia, Nashville, TN; Dean (Isabel Molina), DeForest, WI; Donna, Madison, WI; Bruce, Friendship, WI; Tom (Gail Zaucha), Madison, WI, and Carla (Cary Utterberg), Golden Valley, MN, 11 nieces and nephews, 18 great-nieces and nephews and many cousins. She was predeceased by her parents and sister Jan.
The family would like to thank our sisters Merna and Marcia and brother Bruce for caring for Joyce in her final days. Joyce was very grateful for their loving kindness as she faced the end.
Internment and celebration of her life is planned for August.
Sending deepest sympathy and condolences to the entire Jefferson family. That awful pancreatic cancer! She was still young and after reading her obituary, she gave a lot to the community. I remember her from our high school years and she was always so nice. Rest In Peace Joyce and God Bless.
I am so very sorry for the loss of Joyce. I grew up with the Jefferson family being a huge part of my life. So many fond memories that I have. All the times helping with chores, animals and playing softball in the front yard. Wayne and Betty gained 5 or so extra kids in the summer. It didn’t bother them at all, I remember riding in the back of his pick up truck going down to Friendship pond to swim on a hot summer night when haying was done for the day. Betty made such wonderful bread from scratch, I remember this because I use to eat her dough. Their daughter Jan was in my class and we were best of friends. We had wonderful times in an era that was innocent. RIP Joyce, may your family find comfort in all the wonderful memories.
Mary-Merna-Marcia..So sorry for your loss.
Rest in peace Joyce. I have not seen you in years but remember conversations we had and how you had the strawberries. My condolences to the family and God bless to all.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Jefferson family. Many of my childhood memories are of playing on their family farm and Joyce teaching me all she knew about the family farm and her beloved Holstein cows. We did 4-H together and ran and laughed in the fields of the family farm. May she now rest in peace.
joyce..i will miss you
We are saddened to hear about Joyce’s passing. Peace, love and comfort to the Jefferson family during this most difficult time.
Rest in peace Joyce. My sympathy and recurring thoughts of good memories are with all of you. Whenever I think about my childhood the Jefferson family is there. Your farm was the center of so many neighborhood adventures. I hope your memories bring you comfort through this difficult time.
I’m so sorry to hear this. My sympathy to you all. She was a great lady and a great community volunteer.
I was also shocked to hear of our classmate Joyce’s passing. I had missed seeing her in town recently, but assumed it was because we were isolating because of covid. I’m sorry I didn’t know of her illness so wasn’t able to visit or send her cards. I will miss our visits when we met very much.
So sorry to read about Joyce passing, she was quite a lady. I worked with her and Betty on town business for many years, God Bless.
Our condolences to the Jefferson family, Joyce was just ahead of us in high school. Many fond memories, we both showed cattle at the county fair. All of the Jefferson family are wonderful people, let the wonderful memories help you all at this difficult time, RIP Joyce.
I was shocked to hear Joyce passed away. That darn pancreatic cancer. It will be two years May 9 th. that my sister, Dianna, passed. She called me and I flew out to Arizona and Don and I stayed and are still in WI.
Such a fun family….remember the good times
Rest in peace, Joyce.
My most sincere condolences to the Jefferson family.
Jan was in our class and she and I had the same birthdate. I have fond memories of Joyce and Dean. God Bless you all.
To Joyce’s family and friends.
Let all your good memories help you through your grief and heal the hole in your heart.
Joyce was a true friend, and I will miss her very much.
We are deeply saddened by the news of Joyce’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time.
God has another angel in heaven. i always looked forward to visits with Joyce and Mom during the picking season The community lost a real treasure will miss you Joyce, Love and prayers to all family members and friends at this time. See you in August unless God calls me sooner,
Sincere condolences to Joyce’s family.
Joyce was such a good person and hard worker. She always had a kind word for you and continued to provide encouragement with Town of Adams and food pantry activities. Joyce was such a great help at the Second Harvest mobile food pantry and when she was not there people would ask, “where’s Joyce?” Thank you Joyce for all the good you offered to people, you will be missed. May you rest in peace.
Bill and Sandy Euclide
I will miss getting to chat with Joyce and her super friendly dog. She was a great person and neighbor. She always had a smile for you. ❤️
Joyce was one of the first people to welcome us to the community when we moved here almost 7 years ago. She shared her love and knowledge of nature, birds, plants and gardening with us any chance she had. Joyce was a joy and blessing to have known. Condolences to her Family
My kindest condolences to all Jefferson siblings and families. Having grown up with Jan in my class from Kindergarten to Senior in HS, Joyce just ahead and Dean just behind me in grade school through high school, your whole family was a part of my youth. I loved that you all had cattle at the Adams County Fair and frankly I was jealous, wishing I could be there too. Joyce used to come see my band Piper Road Spring Band back in the 70s when we played at Shank Hall in Milwaukee. Now it seems like a sweet memory. Peace, Barry Riese
I was so sad to see Joyce had passed away. She picked me up in January for grocery shopping at the Amish grocery and we had a good time as usual, talked about everything. I will miss the applesauce making, the gardening tips and the good times at Rank’s to listen to the Bluegrass music jam. She was a good person and we will miss her. God welcome our friend home.
What a shocker this was! Was wondering why I hadn,t seen her in the store for awhile. We usually had a good chat when she was in. Anyway, my sincere condolences to Joyce’s family, she leaves quite a legacy to remember. God bless.
Thoughts and prayers for Joyces family, she was a good person, hard working and always available to give a hand if needed. She will be missed.
To the entire Jefferson family and yes Bruce, being a long time friend: I have the utmost respect for your family. Joyce was a very hard worker and neighbor. She is in peace at this point and will be watching the balance of the family. It’s so difficult to see a such an active person go but in time you will think of all the good times.
Bruce you have been in my thoughts knowing you have done all you can. I will miss any activity from the farm.♥️
I’m so sorry on the loss of your sister
May God family friends comfort you during this difficult time
Joyce you will be missed. I was thankful to know her and visit with her. Her wisdom and kindness was none other. She gave of herself in so many ways. She loved her family, her farm, and her community! Thank you Joyce for always helping us at the Adams County Fair.
Joyce, may you rest in Peace, G Barnes
Ray and I send our condolences to Joyce’s family. We shared a lot of music, friendship and conversation at Rank’s Monday nights. She always had the answer to my gardening questions. She was such a giving person, she will be missed. RIP our friend.
I only knew Joyce for a few years. I was so grateful for her kindness. She provided much insight and wisdom to me as the new Clerk for the Town of Adams. She was always quick to help with whatever I needed from working an election to answering those unique questions that only she would know the answer to. She was always quick to tell me a story. She loved to heckle me about the lack of padding on the Town Hall seat cushions, lol. It won’t be the same not having her familiar face helping at the April 5th election. There’s a void that only she could fill. I will miss her. She will always be part of our Town of Adams family.
How sad it make me to know that Joyce is no longer with us…I always enjoyed her company and insights. We’ve lost someone who loved her community and served it well, was a devoted daughter caring for her mother Betty for many years.
To all of Joyce’s family,
I had the privilege of working at the Town with Joyce from 2005 until her retirement. She taught me a lot about community service and dedication to the Town and people in it.
My family will always enjoy the memories of picking apples, currents and strawberries at Joyce’s house and her great gardening advice. She was a special lady and I will miss her!