Joyce Punzel

Joyce Marion (Schlesner) Punzel, age 95, of Jefferson, WI, was welcomed into the loving arms of her Savior on September 28, 2024.  She passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family.

She was born on September 19, 1929, in Farmington Township to George and Florence (Ulm) Schlesner of Johnson Creek.

She was baptized, attended Sunday School, was confirmed and later taught Sunday School at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Johnson Creek.

In her early years, Joyce enjoyed participating in 4-H for 12 years where her favorite activities were making clothing and showing livestock.  She was even chosen to demonstrate posture at the Wisconsin State Fair, where she also participated in the dress revue.  She especially enjoyed her registered Guernsey cows, that she regularly showed at the county and state fair, and even at the International Dairy Expo in Indianapolis.  She was also a contestant in the Alice in Dairyland competition.

She attended Woodside Country School and graduated from Johnson Creek High School in 1947.  She received her Bachelor Degree in Business Education from UW Whitewater in 1951.  She taught high school business classes, including typing, bookkeeping, and shorthand, at Barneveld High School for 2 years and then at Johnson Creek High School for 9 years, when she retired to raise her children.  She was also part of the yearbook publishing committee. Many local residents remember her fondly as one of their teachers.

Joyce loved to play cards, waltz, and square dance.  She met her husband, Lyle D. Punzel, at one of the local dance halls.  They were married on July 26, 1952, at St, John’s Lutheran Church in Johnson Creek.  They later joined St. John’s Lutheran Church in Newville, where she assisted with the Young Peoples Group and the Newville Homemakers Club.

In 1960, she and Lyle moved to Jefferson, where they soon joined St, John’s Lutheran Church and raised their three children.  She served as a school room mother, worked at the school library, and also served as a church librarian.  She also participated in the Lakeside Lutheran Ladies Guild while her children were there in high school.

For 49 years, she and Lyle ran the local hardware store in Jefferson, first as Gambles and then as Punzel Hardware.  She performed the bookkeeping and business activities while Lyle did the small engine and appliance repairs.  One of her favorite activities was participating in the annual Gemuetlichkeit window decorating contest, where she won many awards over the years.

In retirement, Joyce loved spending time with her grandchildren and baking.  She will lovingly be remembered for her annual making of Christmas caramels that were coveted by all.

She will be missed deeply by her family: children Jeffrey (Antoinette) Punzel of Fort Atkinson, Bonnie (Michael) Wiskowski of Pewaukee, and Marcie (Joseph) Wright of Custer; grandchildren A.J. Wright (Johanne), Alexa Wiskowski, Megan and Matthew Punzel; great grandson Landan Wright; step-grandchildren Ginger (Sam) Berman and Bradley Wiskowski; step-great-grandson Michael Pasch; sister-in-law Patricia Schlesner, favorite great-niece Helen Wiedenfeld, and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Joyce is preceded in death by her parents, husband Lyle Punzel, sister Carol Wiedenfeld, brother Gary Schlesner, favorite uncle Ortwin (Dick) Schlesner, son-in-law Joseph Wright, granddaughter Carrissa Wright (Gregorick Johnson) and step-grandson Steven Wiskowski.

Funeral services will take place at 11AM on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at St. John Lutheran Church in Jefferson.  Visitation will take place from 9AM until the time of service.  A burial will take place at Union Cemetery immediately following funeral services.

Memorials may be made to Rainbow Hospice of Jefferson, Lakeside Lutheran High School, or St. John’s Lutheran Church of Jefferson.