Joyce A. Wilson

Joyce passed at age 66 on Monday, October 31, 2022. She was born February 14, 1956 to Richard and (Lilian) Ruth Kowalewski in South Bend, Indiana. After her father’s death, Joyce moved to Lowell, Indiana when her mother married William J. “Bill” Dunn. She graduated from Lowell High School in December, 1973 and married John Wilson on June 29, 1974 at St. Edward’s Church in Lowell, Indiana. Not long after, the couple moved to Germany, where John was deployed with the U.S. Army. It was the first of many moves: over the course of their marriage, the couple lived in Oklahoma, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.

From her mid-twenties, Joyce lived with chronic pain from arthritis and lupus. She managed to laugh a lot, even with all of her struggles. When she was able, she worked as an independent contractor for the Jafra skin care and make-up line. She also worked with John at the Wilson-Dunn Insurance Agency managing payroll, bookkeeping and other clerical work. Despite her pain, she provided a welcoming home, helped raise her children, cooked almost daily, and supported John in his many endeavors.

She loved swimming, traveling, gardening, and baking. She enjoyed any opportunity for an adventure and would not be held back by her limitations. She also loved animals; even if she originally protested bringing in an additional pet into the house, she soon fell in love with it.

She is survived by her daughter, Heather; son, William, and brothers David Dunn and James (Lisa Hansen) Dunn. She will be missed by her niece Bridget (Travis) Markin and nephews Travis (Amy) Dunn, Zachary Dunn, Christian Dunn, Nicholas Dunn.

She was preceded in death by her father, Richard; husband, John; mother, (Lilian) Ruth; brothers, William and Patrick.  

Wichmann Funeral Home located at 537 N. Superior Street in Appleton will host a funeral service for Joyce on Saturday November 5, 2022 at 5:00pm.  Friends and family may gather at the funeral home from 3:00pm until the start of the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Lupus Foundation of America or the Arthritis Foundation in Joyce's name.