Joyce Ruth Bayer

Joyce R. Bayer, 76, of Appleton, WI passed away after a courageous battle with a rare aggressive form of cancer called Cholangiocarcinoma on July 2, 2018 in Appleton.

Joyce was born in Appleton, WI to Walter G. & Esther L. (Krause) Nau on April 16, 1942. She was a 1960 Graduate of Fox Valley Lutheran High School. She married Charles O. Bayer on June 6, 1964 in Appleton. Her love and passion was spent in the banking business for 57 years providing service at Appleton Building and Loan, Home Savings, Community First Credit Union, Mutual Savings Bank and U.S. Bank. She was appointed to the Board of Savings Loan review of Wisconsin 1983-1986 by Governor Earl. Joyce was also active in the Financial Manager’s Association which allowed her to travel with her family, all across the country. Joyce’s passion for others led her to work with kind-heartedness for customers, co-workers and everyone she came in contact with throughout her daily life. She will be dearly missed by many.

Joyce is preceded in death by her parents, Walter G. & Esther L. Nau; a brother, Glen W. Nau; sister, Jean A. Maves; brother-in-laws, Sylvester “Syl” and Gerald “Babe” Bayer and sister-in-law, Delores Mutschler.

Joyce is survived by her husband of 54 years, Charles (Chuck) Bayer; her daughter Lori (Chris) Bayer-Medo of Sherwood, WI; a son, Mark (Stefanie) Bayer of Comstock Park, MI; a sister, Alice (Ronald) Velie of Appleton; sister-in- law, Margaret (Peggy) Nau of Appleton; three grandchildren, Melissa (Shawn) McGuire of Goldsboro, NC; Ryan and Austin Bayer of Comstock Park, MI as well many special nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Joyce is also survived by her closest and dearest friends Don & Jan Utschig and their family of Appleton and the Fox Cities.

The family of Joyce wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Yao’s Team at FVHO and the staff and support of Brewster Village - Lawrence Hall. Our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all of them for their wonderful care and compassion.

Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at Wichmann Funeral Home 537 N. Superior Street Appleton, from 12pm and 3pm. The family invites you to share your stories and memories of how Joyce may have touched your life, as she wished this to be a tribute to a life well lived.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in her honor.

Sometimes when the wind blows, I hear you whisper to me.
My spirit is alive. My soul is free.
My love is as near as you need it to be.