Joyce K. Frei

Joyce K. Frei, age 93, passed away peacefully with her family at her side on April 28, 2024 at Sun Prairie Senior Living center. Joyce was born March 23, 1931 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin to Melvin and Aleita (Tavs) Stelsel. 

She was a graduate of Brandon high school in 1948, attended Central College in Pella, Iowa and received her R.N. degree from Evangelical Deaconess Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1952. She started her nursing career at Deaconess Hospital and then the Shrank clinic in Waupun, Wisconsin. After her marriage she worked at the hospital in Duluth, Minnesota. In 1973 she began working at the Lutheran Home in Fond du Lac, WI, where she worked until her retirement in 1994.

On August 18, 1956 she married Eugene R. Frei at Alto Reformed Church. They have celebrated 67 years of marriage. She enjoyed golf where she played in league, and with her husband. Joyce delighted in hosting and playing bridge for over 50 years and had many lasting friendships from bridge, golf and her nursing career. She volunteered for many years in the adult literacy program and later she was involved in the Rotary Reading program at Pier school. She was a great hostess for holiday parties and family celebrations.

Her faith was a cornerstone in her life. She was an active member at Hope Lutheran Church for over 50 years where she served on the altar committee, as a Sunday school teacher and an officer of the Ladies Guild. Recently they have become members at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Sun Prairie, WI. She loved knitting, sewing and cross stitch. She knitted Christmas stockings for family members and sewed baby blankets that were cherished by her grandchildren. She was an election poll worker for a number of years. She was also an avid bird watcher and one of her prized possessions was a beautiful collection of plates showing different types of bird.  She and Gene traveled extensively visiting all 50 states, Europe and the Caribbean. For many years they spent Spring time in Arizona and Nevada visiting friends and family and golfing.

Joyce is survived by her beloved husband, Gene; four sons, Steven (Jan) Frei of Madison, WI, Kurt (Tracy) Frei of Davidson, North Carolina, Thomas (Beth) Frei of West Bend, WI and Philip (Sandy) Frei of Sun Prairie, WI; nine grandchildren, Seth Frei (Brynn), Ross Frei (Carly), Kimberly Worth (Joe Worth), Ian Coen-Frei (Sarah), Michael Frei (Special Friend Eden Berman), Savannah Frei, Noah Frei, Cole Frei, and Gabrielle Frei; nine great grandchildren, Noah Frei, Grace Frei, Finley Frei, Lily Frei, Leonora Coen-Frei, Julian Worth, Ezra Frei, Skye Worth, and Olive Frei.  Joyce is further survived by sister, Audrey (Paul) Elenius and brother, Jim (Karen) Stelsel; numerous nieces and nephews.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin and Aleita Stelsel; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Albert Frei and Ida Seeliger; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Gerald and Marion Luebke; and great grandson, Amos Frei. 

The visitation will be held Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home.  The memorial service will follow at 11:00 AM on Saturday at the funeral home.   Inurnment will follow in Ledgeview Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorials in Joyce’s name may be directed to Alzheimer’s Association.

In addition, we’d like to give our heartfelt appreciation to the entire staff at Sun Prairie Senior Living and Agrace Hospice for the loving care they gave Joyce, and our family.

Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com