Joyce Anderson

FITCHBURG- Joyce Esser Anderson, age 79, of Fitchburg passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, August 11,2016, surrounded by her five loving daughters. She was born October 8, 1936, on the family farm in Ridgeville, Wisconsin, to Myron and Della Kortbein. She married Raymond Bernard Esser on May 31, 1960, at The Little Brown Church in the Vale. Together they had five daughters and a loving marriage of 21 years until Ray's passing. On April 10, 1982, Joyce married Eldon Anderson Sr. whom she met through KAYRA. He brought another son and daughter into their loving family. She was an incredibly loving, compassionate, caring wife, mother, sister and grandmother.

Joyce graduated as valedictorian from Tomah High School in 1954, continuing on to receive her degree from Eau Claire's Luther School of Nursing. Nursing became her lifelong passion. Her early career was spent as an RN at St. Mary's and Madison General. She devoted 8 years to lobbying for the WNA, earned her master's degree, and spent 24 years as Clinical Professor of Nursing at UW, retiring as Professor Emeritus in 2001. Joyce was instrumental in bringing Hospice to Wisconsin, serving many years on the Board of Directors and as president both locally and statewide, and in 1993 became a Light up a Life Hospice Honoree. Her work came full circle in the excellent care and support of Agrace Hospice that allowed her to spend her final days at home.

Joyce loved to travel worldwide. She was an ardent UW men's and women's basketball supporter, avid genealogy researcher, very involved in politics, volunteering as a poll worker for every election. She was active in KAYRA, Optimists, and many MCC church groups. She enjoyed book club, Bridge, Mahjong, Theater bus, APT, and the Milwaukee Symphony. Joyce's greatest passion was her family and friends. Ever humble, kind, witty and deeply interested in the lives of her family, friends, students, and coworkers, she was always there for others. She lived life to the fullest and will be deeply missed.

Joyce is survived by daughters Lucy Russell (David),Julie Nji(Zebulon), Nancy McCain (Undrael), Jennifer Psota (Raymond Johnson) and Deborah Wiest (Daniel), Stepson Eldon Jr. (Bonnie), stepdaughter Charlotte Wright(Jeff); Grandchildren, Danielle Russell, Jacob Russell, Gabrielle Russell, Zachary Russell, Lucas Russell, Bethany Russell, Jeremy Nji, Detric McCain, Jocelyn McCain, Alex Psota (Father Robert Psota),Alexis Johnson, Ashley Klawitter, Nicholas Wiest, Joelle Wiest, Matt Anderson, Erica Adams (David), Dana Anderson, Jamie Wright (Allison), Malysa Sciebelli (Anthony III), Elisabet Jorgenson (Eric); Sisters Carol Ferge and Judy Hart (Charles), Sister-in-law Pat Erdman (Ken).

She was preceded in death by her parents Myron and Della Kortbein, husband Raymond Esser, husband Eldon Anderson Sr, Brother Eugene Kortbein, brothers-in-law George Ferge, Clarence Esser, Arnold Esser, Lawrence Esser, Vincent Esser, sisters-in-law LaVerne Schittone, LaVonne Swenson and grandson RJ Johnson.

A funeral service will be held at Advent Lutheran Church-Madison Christian Community, 7118 Old Sauk Road, Madison on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at 11:00 am. A visitation will be held on Wednesday at church from 9:00 am until the time of service. Burial will be held at First Lutheran Church Cemetery, 4022 North Pleasant View Road, Middleton. Memorials can be made to Agrace Hospice, UW School of Nursing, or Madison Christian Community in her honor.

Cress Funeral Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
(608) 238-3434