Joyce Schluter Wheeler

STOUGHTON-    Joyce Schluter Wheeler, our beloved and treasured wife, mother, grandmother, and devoted friend sadly passed away on January 10, 2009 after losing her battle with cancer. Joyce was born on May 30, 1940, in Fort Atkinson, to the late Elmer and Luella (Ramsey) Willitz. She graduated from Fort Atkinson High School in 1957, Madison General Hospital School of Nursing in 1960, and the College of St. Francis in 1985. She was married to Ernie Schluter from 1963-1977, with whom she had two daughters, Tracy and Dana. She later married Thomas Wheeler on July 15, 1989. She enjoyed gardening, the outdoors, tap dancing, sewing, and playing her accordion in the Sesqueezecentennial Accordion Band of Madison'. She was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. She found great joy in traveling, with one of her final trips being a trip with family to Mexico. Joyce worked as a Registered Nurse in the mental health field for many years. After retiring she was involved with the Madison General Hospital Nurses Alumni Association, volunteered as a reader at Head Start, and spent much of her spare time with her cherished grandchildren. She is survived by her husband, Thomas Wheeler; brother, John (Janet) Willitz; sister, Jean (James) Smithback; daughters, Tracy (Steve) Zangl, Dana (Joe) Dennis; stepdaughters, Kathleen Wheeler, Gina Topper; grandchildren, Haley and Zach Zangl, Kodiak and Mackinley Dennis, and Isabella and Brodin Topper. A Mass Celebrating the Life of Joyce will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 12:00 pm at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 221 Frederick St, Belleville, WI with Father Ken Klink Celebrating the Mass. Friends may call at the funeral home in Stoughton on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm and again at the church on Thursday from 11:00 am until the mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Forward Lymphoma Research Fund, c/o UW Foundation, US Bank Lockbox, PO Box 78807, Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807; or the American Cancer Society, 8317 Elderberry Rd, Madison, WI 53717. A special thanks to Dr. Douglas Kutz, Dr. Brad Kahl, the staff on B6-6 at UW Hospital, and the chemo and hematology clinics, which have been an extended family for the past three months.
Olson-Holzhuter-Cress 206 W. Prospect Av. Stoughton    608-873-9244