Loretta J. Josephs

Age 68, passed away on Tuesday, January 25, 2005 at The Cherry Meadows Hospice. Loretta was born in Bowler, Wisconsin, on May 21, 1936, the daughter of the late Reuben Malueg and Emma (Gutt) Malueg of Appleton. On August 31, 1957, Loretta married Thomas Josephs in Seymour; Tom preceded her in death on May 9, 1998. For nearly thirty years, Loretta was employed as a secretary for the Appleton School District. Early on, she worked at Huntley and Edison Elementary Schools, and later in the Administration Offices. She was a longtime and faithful member of First English Lutheran Church where she volunteered countless hours with various committees and organizations. In her retirement, she also enjoyed her volunteer time at Houdini Elementary School, where some of her grandchildren were students. She also enjoyed cross-stitching, her many friends from her aqua aerobics class at the YMCA, and everyone in the “Birthday Club.” Loretta also enjoyed the company of her traveling companion Ruth. Everyone knows that taking “extra-special care” of her dog Lexie is a pastime that Loretta truly enjoyed. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy; they always looked forward to having Grandma attend their sporting events and other activities.

She is survived by her mother: Emma Malueg of Appleton; three daughters: Debra (Thomas) Behl of Coal Valley, Illinois; Lori (Bruce) Pennings of Appleton; and Patti (Darryl) Payne of Appleton; seven grandchildren: Aimee (Scott) Pingel of Fort Benning, Georgia; Sarah Behl of Huntsville, Alabama; Daniel Behl of Chatham, Massachusetts; Heather Pennings and her fiancé Jon Otto; Travis Pennings; Erica Payne; and Erin Payne all of Appleton; a great-granddaughter: Olivia Pingel; a sister: Marilyn (Jerome) Beyer of Hilbert; a brother: Allen (Joyce) Malueg of Appleton; two sisters-in-law: Lois Apitz of Appleton and Jerrine Josephs of Neenah; two brothers-in-law: Mike (Jeanne) Douglas of Appleton and John (Barbara) Josephs of Bessemer, Michigan. Loretta is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her father Reuben Malueg, her step-father Rudolph Malueg, her husband Thomas in 1998, an infant brother Dwayne Malueg, a sister Sandra Douglas, a sister-in-law Cora (Bob) Veeser, and brothers-in-law Martin Josephs and Charles Apitz.

Funeral services for Loretta will be held at 11:00 on Saturday January 29, 2005 at FIRST ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH, 326 E. North Street with Rev. Vicki Fink and Rev. David Lyle officiating. Interment will follow at Highland Memorial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 4 – 8 PM and again at the church on Saturday from 10 AM until the hour of the services. A memorial fund has been established in Loretta’s name.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the entire staff at Cherry Meadows. Each and every one of you gave a special gift to us and to our mom – your love and your compassion. We will never forget how comfortable you made everyone during mom’s final days.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, WI 54911
920-739-1231