Joyce Kleefisch

Joyce Ann Schweingruber Kleefisch passed away on August 10th, after an amazingly full life. She lived in Sheboygan County for all of it, having been born in Sheboygan on September 20, 1928, to Gustav J. and Evelyn M. (Pascavis) Schweingruber. She graduated from Central High School in 1946. On November 5, 1949, she married Joseph J. Kleefisch, also of Sheboygan, at St. Peter Claver Church. Joyce's number one passion was her family, and she spent her life proving just how much she cared about each person in it. She had six children, and with her death, she is now reunited with three of them. Twin sons who were born and died on September 10, 1952, preceded her in death, as did her son, Commander Joseph G. Kleefisch, who died on May 17, 1995. Her sister, Carol M. Schetter, who had lived in Bowling Green, Ohio, also preceded her in death. She is survived by 3 of her children, 10 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. The children are: Mary (Charles) Klasen of Appleton, James G. (Alicia) Kleefisch of New Berlin, WI, and Thomas G. (Julie) Kleefisch of Sheboygan. Nancy (Joe) Kleefisch, daughter-in-law, lives in Escondido, California. The grandchildren and great grandchildren are: Thomas J. (Nathalie) Klasen of Brasschaat, Belgium, and children Amalia and Joseph; Anne M. (Daniel IV) Trezevant of Beaufort, SC, and children Daniel V and Olivia; Martha E. Klasen Ranek (Justin) of Sturgeon Bay, and son Michael; Joseph C. (Erin) Kleefisch, serving in the US Navy in Maryland, and daughter Riley; Matthew S. Kleefisch of Poipu, Kauai, Hawaii; Christopher J. Kleefisch of Milwaukee; Ryan J. Kleefisch of Milwaukee, Allison M. Kleefisch of New Berlin; Melissa A. Kleefisch of Sheboygan; and Kayla M. Kleefisch of Sheboygan. Joyce was extraordinarily gifted in organizational skills and both her work experience and volunteerism reflected the use of these skills. Joyce's working years were spent mostly at the Kohler Company where she began in the steno pool and worked her way up to Management and Administration, retiring in 1994 after 28 years of service. Joyce will be remembered as a great wife and a wonderful mom and grandma. She could whip up home-made yeast breads, coffee cakes and cinnamon rolls for her family or easily roll out 6 pies for a bake sale. She was a woman of strong faith, and most recently worshipped at Holy Name of Jesus in Sheboygan. She was also an extraordinary volunteer - unafraid to tackle any assignment - be it reading to kids at school to working with hospice patients to making rosaries. In her younger years, she and Joe established and ran the PTA at Immaculate Conception; she was a Cub Scout Den Mother, and Brownie and Girl Scout leader. She was a member of many organizations, including Catholic Women's Charity Club, Holy Name St. Ann's Society, Catholic Daughters of America, and the Kohler Quarter Century Club. She loved playing Bridge, and in her earlier retirement years, she really took advantage of having free time to pursue this hobby. A Mass in celebration of Joyce's life will be held on Tuesday, August 18. Friends may gather to meet the family between 9:30 and 11 AM at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Sheboygan. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11. Please visit www.zimmerfuneralhome.com to sign the guestbook. Any donations made will be sent to the National Osteoporosis Foundation in Washington, DC. "May the road rise up to meet you, May the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of His hand."