Joy E. Close

Joy E. Close, age 83, passed away Saturday, May 5, 2007, at Red Cedar Medical Center in Menomonie. He was born Sept. 27, 1923, in Knapp to Edgar and Selma (Olson) Close.

After high school, Joy joined his dad and sister, Phyllis, in the Knapp Creamery. With Joy as president, the family business thrived, bottling milk, making Homaid ice cream and cheese and whey protein.

Joy married Mildred Maves on Oct. 12, 1946, at Minneapolis, Minn.

He had a strong commitment to family and was proud that all of his five children graduated from UW-Stout.

Joy had many accomplishments and believed in giving back to the community, as he demonstrated throughout his life. In addition to business, Joy also served on the Wisconsin Cheesemakers board of directors from 1984 to 1990, and served a total of 43 years on the Knapp Village Board, 16 as a member and 27 as village president. He was a Boy Scout leader, charter member of the Knapp Lions Club, charter member of what would become the Dunn County United Way, a 44-year member of the Dunn County Farm Bureau and a board member and contributor to what is now the Red Cedar Medical Center. Joy was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and served on the church's board of directors.

Joy is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Mildred of Knapp; his sons, David (Georgene) Close of Knapp, Daniel (Kathleen) Close of Hoffman Estates, Ill., Dennis (Roxanne) Close of Menomonie and Duane (fiancé Kathleen) Close of Eau Claire; a daughter, Melissa (John) Boldon of Knapp; he is also survived by 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; a sister, Inez (Herman) Genrich of Eau Claire; one aunt, Winnie Close of Eau Claire; plus many loving nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Joy was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Phyllis Schwartz and Shirley Lefstad; a brother, Robert Close; and two grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, 2007, at Knapp United Methodist Church in Knapp with Pastor James Harrington officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in the Town of Stanton, Dunn County. Family and friends are welcome from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie and at the church one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.

To express condolences online, please visit obituaries at www.olsonfh.net.