Joyce Jean Rauchholz

Joyce Jean Rauchholz, age 89, passed away March 13, 2023, in Appleton. Joyce was born in Milwaukee WI to Charles and Margaret (Mauer) Hodgdon.  She grew up in Menomonee Falls and graduated from High School there.  While in high school, she played the clarinet.  She met Alvin Rauchholz at a Independence Day event where Al was serving in the Army by guarding a missile display.  Her friend dared her to introduce herself to Al, and the rest is history.

 

Al and Joyce were married September 28, 1957, and following Al’s discharge from the Army, they moved to Hemlock, MI and proceeded to have three children.  Joyce was truly a city girl who moved to the country. She and Al began their family across from the dairy farm that Al’s family started in 1889 until moving to another location nearby.

 

She learned to enjoy life in the country. One of her passions was looking for deer and some birdwatching.  She had wonderful friends and spent lots of time with them. Holiday events were always events with the friend’s group and they rotated homes for celebrations.  

 

Joyce always enjoyed spending time at church where she was a greeter and also enjoyed volunteering at Bethesda and other opportunities.  

 

Minor league baseball was a pastime she enjoyed a bit later in life, and that passion extended into her move to WI in 2016 and her exposure to the WI Timber Rattlers. She also enjoyed watching the Packers.

 

Joyce loved listening to Bob Seger and Danny O’Donnell.  She was especially fond of the song “Old Time Rock and Roll.” Her love of music extended to the Alexa they got for Christmas-they used it extensively to listen to their favorite tunes.  She couldn’t wait for “Joy to the World” to be played at any wedding.

 

Joyce is survived by her husband, her children: Kevin (Patti) Rauchholz, Dean Rauchholz and Mary (Jeff) Smith; grandchildren: Casey (Andrea), Dillon, Mitchell, Jenna (Nick) and great grandson Jackson.  She is further survived by many nieces and nephews that were very dear to her, as well as other friends, family as well as good friend Sandi. She is preceded in death by her parents, Al’s parents, and Al’s brother Frank (Alice).

 

A funeral service will be held Saturday March 18, 2023, at 11:00am at Wichmann Funeral Home-Tri County Chapel, 1592 Oneida Street, Fox Crossing.  Friends and family may gather at the funeral home from 9:00am until the start of the service.  She will be laid to rest in Hemlock, MI at a later date.

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Mount Calvary Lutheran Church and School, Village of Harrison, WI in Joyce's name.