Joyce M. (Fellbaum) Pempek

Joyce Marie Pempek (Fellbaum), 87, the youngest of seven daughters of Raymond and Della (Kramm) Fellbaum, died Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

She was born on June 23, 1936, in Wausau.

Joyce was baptized October 8, 1936, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Rib Falls. On February 4, 1953, she married Dennis Pempek in Pine City, Minnesota and shared 55 years of marriage. He preceded her in death on May 27, 2008.

She was a member of First English Lutheran Church, serving as Sunday School teacher and Good Shepherd, prepared funeral meals, and volunteered at the Fair Stand.

She was proud of growing up on the family farm in Hamburg. As a young girl she sewed up tiny holes in silver fox pelts at Fromm Fur Farm. They liked her tiny stitches and her good sewing skills. Joyce was a proud homemaker, involved in Franklin School Mothers Club and PTA. She learned to swim as an adult and went on to teach water aerobics at the Woodson YMCA for many years.

Perennial and vegetable gardening, walking, berry picking, canning, baking apple pies, cooking, winning at 500 rummy, knitting, crocheting, Christmas, making maple syrup, polka dancing, and attending kids’ and grandkids’ sporting events were all things she loved.

Joyce loved music. As a girl she played guitar and harmonica and taught herself to play the organ. She loved singing hymns in church, sang a solo for a school program, and enjoyed yodeling with her kids and grandkids. She and her sister, Iris, were “The Sisters F” and made a record.

She was a proud sister, daughter, mother, mother-in-law, grandma, great-grandma, great-great grandma who loved to spend time making memories and holidays special.

Survivors include five children; Marggie Pempek of Wausau, Linda (Scott) Doescher of Weston, Dan (Michelle) Pempek of Athens, Scott (Deanna) Pempek of Wausau, and Kalynn Pempek of Wausau, nine grandchildren; Teresa (Will) Judd, Heather (Jason) Hurd, Eric (Elizabeth)Doescher, Ben Pempek, Casey (Abby) Pempek, Luke (Lauren) Doescher, Mitchell (Erin) Pempek, Morgan (Ryan) Kufahl and Ashleigh Pempek, 16 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, and two sisters-in-law; Vivian (Earl) Haefs and Emilie (Keith) Reimer both of Wisconsin Rapids, and many friends and relatives. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Kenny, great-grandson Jaxon, and seven sisters, Elaine (Frank) Wisniewski, Delores Fellbaum, Iris (Louie) Davis, Olidine (Eugene) Arndt, Betty (George) Adams, and twin sister, JoAnn Nowitzke (Gerald Reinhard, Ambrose Nowitzke).

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, April 14 from 1-4 p.m. at the Rothschild Pavilion.  A private memorial at Restlawn Memorial Park will be held later with family. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Mom’s neighbors for their years of friendship.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com