Joyce J. Verhasselt

JOYCE JEANNETTE (MARX) (THOMPSON) VERHASSELT (1927-2024)

Daughter of William and Minnette (Grosskopf) Marx. Sister of Larene Crowley (Erwin) Burand, Marlene (Marvin) Dobrunz, Nancy (James) Freybler. Also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

She was the loving wife of Milnor (“Tom”) Julian Thompson (1920-1993) for 45 years, married April 13, 1947. They are the parents of Jeanne (Richard) Newport, Daniel (Judith) Thompson, and William (Margaret) Thompson.

She was a devoted grandma to Kimberly (Kirk) Everson, Brent (Alyssa) Newport, Nicole (Michael) Voss, Garth (Lindsay) Newport and Crystal Thompson. 

Joyce's great-grandchildren love her as their Cookie Grandma: Langdon, Oscheanna, Galena, Aurora, Winston, Liam, Reed, Isla, Sloane, and Levi.

Joyce and Tom owned an A&W root beer stand in Peru, Illinois, returning to La Crosse in the winters. In 1954, they moved to Appleton. They operated Ford Gumball Vending for central Wisconsin until retirement in 1983.  Joyce was active in Welcome Wagon, P.T.A., golf (with trophies to show her skill,) rosemaling, painting,  ceramics, Sons of Norway, church, scouts, and bridge club over the years. She worked in Appleton as an aide at Highland Elementary School, as a clerk at Red Owl grocery, and as a hostess at Perkins restaurant.  Joyce and Tom traveled the US and Canada extensively. Joyce traveled the world including Ireland, Norway,  and Alaska.  

Joyce met Len Verhasselt on a bus tour to the Western Canyonlands where they made many lifelong friends, including Rosie.  A short three months after meeting, Joyce and Len were married on June 20, 1997. They shared seventeen happy years until Len's death in 2014.  Joyce welcomed Len's adult children into her life: Anne (Thomas) Staeven, Sue (Terrill) Knaack, Carl Verhasselt and Jean Verhasselt.  She also enjoyed Len's many brothers, sisters, and relatives.

In 2015, Joyce moved to Island Shores in Neenah.  There, Joyce joined the bridge club and participated in many artistic activities. Island Shores caregivers, staff and the other residents created a village for Joyce. She loved being part of Island Shores.

On June 5, 2024, at the age of 97, Joyce passed away peacefully surrounded by her surviving children Jeanne and William.

Joyce's funeral service will take place on Saturday June 15, 2024, at 11:00 am at Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N Superior Street, Appleton. Friends and family may gather at the funeral home from 10:00 am until the service begins. Following cremation, Joyce will be buried at St Nicholas Cemetery, Freedom.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established.