Irene Joyce
Irene R. Joyce, age 89, of Richland Center, passed away at home following a courageous five-year battle with congestive heart failure on Friday, July 25, 2025. She was surrounded by her loving daughters, niece Jennifer, and special friend and neighbor, Michele Brewer. She was born on April 30, 1936, in Richwood Township, WI, the daughter of John and Marguerite (Clancy) Kinney. Irene was married on April 30, 1956, to Joseph H. Joyce and celebrated 54 years of marriage before Joe’s passing in 2010. She was a member of St. Mary’s the Assumption Catholic Church for her entire adult life. She was a prominent member of the St. Mary’s Altar Society and PPCW for many decades. She chaired a circle for these for many decades as well. Irene’s love and passion for creating and maintaining a beautiful home, lawn and garden are still evident as you drive through Buck Creek. She was tending to each until her hospitalization on May 16, 2025. More importantly, she loved her “neighbor grandchildren” Caleb, Elana, Darien, Elizabeth and Evan Butikofer. They brought her daily blessings and joy.
Survivors include her 5 daughters, Jeanne Joyce of Spring Creek, NV, Maureen Spitzley of Lansing, MI, Rose (Ross) Joyce-Turner of Livingston Manor, NY, Susanne Joyce and Rod Klossowski of Richland Center, Michelle (Rick) Smith of DeKalb, IL, six grandchildren, Meghan (Tony), Joseph (Dan) and Ryan Joyce-Turner, Keegan (Savannah), Madeline (Jared) and Nathan Smith; a brother, Kyrie (Jane) Kinney, 2 sisters-in-laws, Phyllis Kinney and Janet Kinney, nieces, nephews, Joyce and Kinney relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Marguerite Kinney, her husband, Joe Joyce, a son-in-law, Andy Spitzley, 5 brothers, Jack (Sally) Kinney, Jerry Kinney, Paul (Elaine) Kinney, Leo Kinney, Thomas Kinney, 3 sisters, Kathleen (Michael) Sorge, Therese (James B.) O’Connor, and Mary Knothe. All of Joe Joyce’s ten brothers, sisters and their spouses preceded her in death.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 12:00 Noon at St. Mary the Assumption Catholic Church in Richland Center with burial in the church cemetery. A rosary will be prayed at 9:30 A.M. with visitation from 10:00 A.M. until the time of Mass at 12:00 Noon.
The Joyce children would like to extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to the many friends and neighbors that have helped our mother over the years; her doctors, nurses and nursing assistants at Pine Valley Community Village and UW Hospital in Madison the past month and a half, the staff and nurses at St. Croix Hospice this past week and Michele Brewer for assisting our mom to her final breath. Finally, to our sister, Susanne, we owe forever gratitude and love for caring and helping our mom these past 15 years on our Buck Creek farm.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, PPCW at St. Mary’s, a Walk with Grace or a charity of one’s choice.
Online condolences available at www.staffordfuneralhomes.com. The Stafford Funeral Home in Richland Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.