Joyce B. McGovern, age 96, died on Friday, October 20th, 2023. She was born at St Mary’s Hospital in Madison on March 25, 1927 to Edward and Bertha Strasburg. She spent her youth between Lake Mills and Marshall WI. Since she was a young child she was a vocal soloist performing at many events. SheContinue Reading
Joyce B. McGovern, age 96, died on Friday, October 20th, 2023. She was born at St Mary’s Hospital in Madison on March 25, 1927 to Edward and Bertha Strasburg. She spent her youth between Lake Mills and Marshall WI. Since she was a young child she was a vocal soloist performing at many events. She later graduated as salutatorian from Marshall High School class of 1945 and at the ceremony she sang and played the piano. Upon graduation she attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
On February 4th, 1948 Joyce married John McGovern and together they raised three daughters in Sun Prairie. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years raising her family and caring for her special needs daughter Patrice. In 1965, she began her work career working nights at the Wisconsin Cheeseman and eventually becoming a daytime office supervisor. Joyce was a proud member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Post #9362 in Sun Prairie, where she participated in numerous events throughout the years and held the position of chaplain. She was most active in helping with the monthly steak fry dinners and was renowned for her chocolate chip cookies at the dessert table.
Some of her favorite activities were bowling, golfing, boating, snowmobiling, playing bridge, singing in the choir and traveling. Joyce traveled with her husband John and daughter Patrice all over the United States with their motorhome. After the passing of John she continued her travels throughout the U.S and other countries. Most notably she enjoyed her bi-annual trips to Door County with her daughters and son-in-law.
She is survived by: Daughters, Cindy (Bruce) Mikula of Sun Prairie and Maureen Vaillancourt of Racine; Grandsons, Brian (Annette) Mikula and Jason (Kelly) Mikula; Granddaughters; Noelle Vaillancourt and Jessica (David) Webb; Great Grandsons Alex, Chase, Conor, Josh, David, Ethan and great granddaughter Abbie. She was preceded in death by her husband John, her sister’s Evelyn (Bill) Treichel, Tootie (Jim) Weigen, brother Roland (Vivian) Strasburg, daughter Patrice, and grandson Nick Vaillancourt.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. David Kass at the Sun Prairie Dean Clinic and the St Mary’s PCU unit, Saint Mary’s Hospice and 5 South West staff.
A private family service will be held at Tuschen – Newcomer Funeral Home on Thursday, October 26th, 2023 with Pastor Seongmin Kim presiding from Lake Mills United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to MARC, The Lake Mills United Methodist Church, Special Olympics or the UW Carbone Cancer Center.
Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home
Sun Prairie, WI 608-837-5400
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