Joyce M. Matakovich

Joyce M. Matakovich Joyce Marie Matakovich, 71, 3203 N. 20th Ave., Wausau, died Saturday, May 31, 2008 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. She was born July 7, 1936, in Milwaukee, to the late Alice and Philip Lohman. After serving in the U.S. Air Force for two years, Joyce married John Matakovich on Nov. 9, 1957. She then became an Air Force wife for 25 years. Joyce enjoyed being a homemaker and mother, raising her family around the world. Moving to Wausau in 1974, Joyce became a certified nursing assistant and was employed at Colonial Manor Medical and Rehabilitation Center. She then worked as a nurse's aide and secretary for the music and ag department at Wausau West High School for 26 years, retiring in 2005. She enjoyed golfing, traveling, going on excursions with the Red Hat Society and spending time with her many girlfriends. Joyce truly enjoyed her time with her kids and grandkids ... they were the world to her. Survivors include her son, Michael Matakovich, Wausau; three daughters, Catherine (Michael "Mick") Emerson, Wausau, Peggy (Charles) Siewert, Delafield, and Amy (Michael) Milz, Eau Claire; six grandchildren, Charles (fiancAC., Amber Baumann) and Andrew Emerson, John and Elliott Siewert, and Abigail and Emily Milz; two brothers, Peter (Charon) Lohman, Greenfield, and Michael (Phyllis) Lohman, Reynoldsburg, Ohio; her faithful friend, golden retriever Annie Mae; and many other special friends and relatives. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, John, on May 25, 1996. The funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Friday, June 6, 2008, at The Church of St. Anne, Wausau. The Rev. Steven Brice will officiate. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Wausau. Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the church, where there will be a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will be again from 10 a.m. until the time of service Friday at the church. "Our family is most grateful to Dr. Rezazadeh and the staff at Aspirus Wausau Hospital Oncology Department and the UW-Cancer Center, as well as friends and family, for their kindness, concern and support these past months." Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 N. Sixth St., Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com.