Joy Howe

1966 - 2026

Joy Howe

February 12, 1966 - January 31, 2026

Joy Marie Howe (née Buchmeyer), beloved wife, partner, and best friend, passed away suddenly and peacefully at home on 31 January 2026 at the age of 59, just 12 days before her 60th birthday. She was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed by all who knew her.

Born on 12 February 1966 in Davenport, Iowa, Joy lived a life marked by kindness, curiosity, and of course to her namesake of Joy. She had a genuine interest in people and a rare ability to make others feel heard, valued, and at ease.

She shared a devoted marriage with her husband, Blake Howe, since 4 June 1988, and together they built a life filled with love, laughter, passion, and shared memories. Joy was not only a wife to Blake, but a true companion-steadfast, thoughtful, and the heart of the home. Furthermore, she was a caring and helping guiding light, a rock for their children, grandchildren, and even the eight foreign exchange students welcomed into their home.

Joy had a deep passion for travel and learning about the ways of others. She was endlessly curious about different cultures, perspectives, and traditions, and she approached the world with openness and respect. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and Sociology from William Penn College in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Joy was self-employed as a childcare provider, lending care, learning, and guidance to so many young people, many of which she stayed in contact with throughout childhood, teenaged years, and some into adulthood. She was their Miss Joy. An avid reader, she found comfort and inspiration in books, from the works of Ernest Hemingway, the Bronte's, through many other genres, all the way to romance novels, past and present. Above all, she cherished time spent with family and friends, whether through meaningful conversations, shared meals, or simply being together. Those moments brought her the greatest joy (if you haven't noticed, joy was what Joy was all about. As a friend told here once, she was her daily cup of Joy).

Those who knew Joy will remember her thoughtful spirit, her love of learning, and the deep care she showed to everyone fortunate enough to be part of her life. She would listen when you just wanted someone to listen, and offered advice when that was what you needed. To know Joy was to know a compassionate and generous soul.

She is survived by husband Blake, children Blake Dean Jr. and Marcella (Henry), grandchildren Hugh and Margaret, father Kenneth, siblings Joan (Stu), Andrew (Gretchen), Janet (Paul), Steven (Elizabeth), and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother Audrey.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday 13 February 2026 from 9:00 AM to Noon at Hulke Family Funeral Home, with a luncheon following. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be done to Joy's choice of Wisconsin Public Radio, Planned Parenthood, a charity of your choice that helps people, or any act of kindness. Though she is no longer with us, Joy's love, curiosity, and presence remain-carried forward in the stories she shared and the lives she touched. Goodbye my love.

You may leave online condolences for the family at www.HulkeFamilyFH.com.