Joyce I. Ramstack

(nee Raasch) Age 93, left us to sing with the angels on November 7, 2020, and was reunited with her beloved husband, Gene.  She is survived by her children:  Holly Morris (Jeff), Roger Ramstack, Shelly Hommel (Jeff) and her adored grandchildren:  Brendan and Brian Morris, Sarah Ramstack, and Ryan and Eric Hommel and many relatives and friends.

Music, family and friends were her life.  Joyce graduated from Milwaukee Downer College and taught music in Milwaukee elementary schools. She was a soloist with the church choir, sang in bandshells in the Milwaukee Parks and was a member of the Milwaukee Choristers.  She and her friends created clubs for fun and friendship, including the Downer Girls, Card Club (Poker of course - nickel bets), Church Club and Crazy Couples Club — uniting 12 couples who planned unique mystery outings and parties, always with a tight budget. Gene and Joyce danced their way through life together, going ballroom dancing nearly every week.

In retirement, they lived their dream and spent winters in Sarasota, FL and summers at their Druid Lake home.  She was a beach girl — a beach chair, sunhat, earrings (always earrings) and a good book — her idea of nirvana.  Now and then they would take a Caribbean Cruise with friends, travel to Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, Brazil, etc.  Joyce loved to see and experience the world.

During the more than 50 years at Druid Lake, everyone learned to waterski - including Joyce, who skied into her 50s.  Children and grandchildren enjoyed bonfires, s’mores, tubing, corn roasts, and the wonder of childhood that comes with being free to explore. 

Joyce was an avid sports fan.  As a girl, she and her dad would listen to the Packer games on the radio and move pennies and nickels up and down a cardboard field.  She was a Brave and Brewer fan as well — she never turned down an opportunity to attend a baseball game.  She would root on her favorite golfer (Phil Mickelson) while watching PGA tournaments.  But most of all, she adored watching her five grandchildren play their sports — which were abundant.  She cheered them on in football, baseball, soccer, volleyball and golf.  She timed visits to coincide with their games and never tired of watching them play.  She was so proud of them.

With Joyce’s passion for music, she was thrilled to attend her Grandchildren’s piano recitals and orchestra concerts.  She would also jump at the chance to see a musical or attend an MSO concert.

Joyce was an amazing daughter, wife, mother and grandmother.  She was an exceptional friend to so many.  She treasured and nurtured friendships though-out her entire life.  She never missed an opportunity to make a new friend.

Private interment will take place at Wisconsin Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to the Shorewood Orchestra Boosters, online donations at shorewoodorchestra.org  or mail checks to Shorewood Orchestra Boosters c/o Karen Frink, 1701 E. Capitol Dr. Shorewood, WI 53211 or the American Red Cross at redcross.org .