Joyce Peterson

Joyce was born in Waldwick, WI on Sept 9, 1928, to Ann and Roy Buckingham. Along with siblings Delwin, Bill, and Wilma she was raised on a dairy farm in Mineral Point where she excelled in academics, lettered in band, and never missed the chance to dance. Joyce had Mineral Point friendships that lasted her lifetime. Although Joyce had lifelong pride in her identity as a “farm girl,” she always knew she wanted to live in “the city.” After graduation she moved to Madison where her life quickly changed, much to her delight! She lived within a block of the stadium and walked to the square every day to work at the First National Bank where she eventually met and married our dad, Ellsworth Peterson.

Our dad encouraged her to continue her lifelong love of learning and travel and together (along with daughters) they took long summer vacations, including trips to Mexico, Canada, and the coasts. Together mom and dad visited 40 countries in over 50 years.

Joyce earned degrees in accounting and business and in her 50s, started nursing school.  She loved her long career but took early retirement at 77 to take care of our dad at the end of his life.

Our Mom always had a smile on her face and could strike up a conversation with anyone anywhere (and she did!)  She danced and walked her entire life and after moving into the vibrant senior community of Renaissance Hilldale, she found more reasons to keep moving. She formed many new meaningful relationships and reminded us that growing older doesn’t mean fading away.  Thank you to her lobby friends; Betty, Dave, Mary Lee, and April for being the highlights of Joyce’s everyday life!  Thank you, Jamison, Melissa, and staff, for your tender care of mom the last few weeks.

She was preceded by our dad, her brothers, sister-in-law Lois, brother-in-law Truman Peterson, granddaughter Christina Perrigoue and great grandson Zyaire Hunt.

She is survived by sister Po and sister in law Joyce, nieces and nephews Nancy, Bob (Melanie) Bill (Lynne), Lynda (Dave) Blane (Melissa) Todd ( Lisa ) Kim ( Ron )

She will be deeply missed by her four “lovely daughters” Debbie (Henry) Minor, Susan (Jim) Hergenroether , Laura Welch and Julie (Clif ) Conrad. Her grandkids; Willow (Sam) Poore, Coral (Brandin) Kast, Joseph (Holly) Perrigoue , Autumn ( Jamari ) Ballen, Daniel ( Caley ) Hergenroether, Jerad Grimm, Shawna ( Alex ) Alzina and Sylvia ( Steve ) Lawrence. Great grandkids; Perrin, Silas, Annabelle, Ethan (Danika), Aiyana (Moe), Monroe, Maddie, Elijah, Juleus , Mathias ,  Max, Jael ,Micah  , Eliana , Hannah , Felix, Virginia May, Odin and Amonte and her great great grandkids; Amonte, Tino , Riyanna. Her nieces and nephews; Nancy, Bob, Bill, Linda, Blaine, Kim, and Todd.

Our mom always had a smile to share and a kind word for a stranger. We learned from her that kindness comes from compassion and understanding one another despite our differences.   In lieu of flowers, please memorialize our mom with a smile and maybe a dance.