Joy A. Thiel

Joy Ann Thiel (Alger), 85, of Little Chute, WI passed away peacefully, on Friday November 1st, 2024 surrounded by family. Joy was the beloved daughter of the late George and Gladys (Pendergast) Alger. She was married to Gerald Thiel, with whom she raised a loving family. 

Joy will be remembered for her remarkable strength and independence. With unwavering resilience and determination, she created her own path through life. A dedicated hairdresser, Joy owned and operated three beauty shops over the years, finding true joy in spending time with her clients. She loved the lively conversations, sharing laughter, and offering her heartfelt advice from behind the chair. Joy’s work ethic was unmatched; she often worked from sunrise to sunset. Alongside her husband Jerry, she also co-owned Jerry’s Lanes and Mr. T’s, a beloved bowling alley and restaurant. When she wasn’t in the salon, Joy could often be found helping at the restaurant, preparing food with the same dedication she brought to all she did. Joy had a passion for thrift shopping. 

Joy cherished time spent at the family cottage on Lake Poygan in Winneconne, where she could often be found relaxing with a good book. She hosted countless ‘grandchildren weekends’ at the cottage, creating special moments with each grandchild while nurturing strong bonds among them. These gatherings were her way of sharing love and connection, leaving lasting memories for her family.

Joy had a heart of gold, always selflessly caring for friends, neighbors, and anyone who crossed her path. As a devoted mother of seven, she went above and beyond for her family, doing whatever she could to support them. Known for her strong opinions and never shy to share them, Joy’s bold spirit was matched only by her deep, unwavering love.

In recent years, Joy found joy in playing solitaire on her GrandPad or Kings Corner with her great-grandchildren. She had a special fondness for children and animals, and any extra visit from them was sure to bring a smile to her face. She also enjoyed playing cribbage and bingo with her friends at Greenfield Manor. 

Joy is survived by her children, Gary (Annette) Thiel of Kimberly, Chris (Edith) Thiel of Arizona, Peggy Moehn, Jan Kappus, and Debbie (Gary) Zahringer of Stockbridge, and Tom Thiel (Wendy VanRoy) of Kimberly. Joy is further survived by her 22 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; many cousins; and two sisters-in-law, MaryAnn (Don) Brantmeier and Maxine (Ray) Geiger. She's also survived by her niece, Molly (Bruce) Reffke and her nephew, John (Toni) Sikora and families.  

Joy was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Thiel; her parents, George and Gladys Alger; her sisters, Joan (Chuck) Sikora and Jean Alger; her in-laws, George and Glady Thiel; her stepson, Terry Thiel; son-in-law, Romy Kappus, and her great-grandchildren, Alisha and Caleb Thiel.

A memorial visitation will be held to honor Joy’s life on Saturday, November 16th, 2024 from 2-4 PM at Fargo Funeral Home, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave, Kaukauna, WI 54130 with a celebration of life service to follow at 4 PM. Family and friends are invited to join us in honoring her memory and sharing stories of her life. Joy will be laid to rest with her husband, Jerry at Holy Cross Cemetery in Kaukauna at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your local animal shelter in respect to what Joy would have wanted. 

A special thank you to AMC Staff, Cherry Meadows Staff, The Landing Staff, and all Hospice Workers who cared for Joy during her final days. 

Stories of Joy will be told for generations to come. “Born on Oviatt Street, buried on Oviatt Street.”