Joyce S. Tesch

Joyce Selma (Steckling) Tesch, age 89, Fremont, entered her heavenly home on March 25, 2026. Joyce was born on December 15, 1936, in New London, Wisconsin, the daughter of Henry & Mabel (Eake) Steckling. Joyce was a lifelong member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Readfield, where she became a child of God through Holy Baptism on January 17, 1937, by Rev. Ferdinand Weyland. Again, at Zion, she came before God's altar to confirm her baptismal faith being confirmed on May 6, 1951, by Rev. Armin Engel.

Her elementary school years were spent at Crystal Fountain School, Fremont, and she graduated from Washington High School, New London, on May 26, 1955, with her class of 109. She then worked two years at K-C Corporation, Kimlark Office, Neenah, until her marriage on June 1, 1957, to Wayne William Tesch, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Readfield. They were married by Rev. H.A. Kahrs, of Winneconne, in the absence of Zion's Pastor Armin Engel. Their marriage was blessed with two children: a son, Gregory Wayne, and a daughter, Melody Joyce.

In 1964, Wayne and Joyce purchased Crystal Fountain School, moved there in 1970, and converted it into a two-story home, which sadly was destroyed by fire on March 25, 2014. Besides maintaining the household and raising their two children, Joyce was also the bookkeeper for Wayne's various businesses. Joyce enjoyed her family and loved spending time and helping them whenever possible. She also enjoyed classic cars, car shows, dancing, polka and country music, gardening, flowers, decorating, cooking, and baking. She loved animals, especially dogs and cats, always taking in a stray that needed a home. Joyce worshipped her Lord and served Him by teaching Sunday School and serving on Altar Guild. God strengthened and kept her strong in faith through Word and Sacrament until her earthly journey ended.

Survivors include one son, Gregory Tesch, and his special friend Susie Meiers; one daughter, Melody (Stuart) Graf; one grandson, Derrick (Tiffany) Tesch, and their children, Dayton and Talia; one step-grandson, Jake (Christina) Graf, and their daughter, Makenna; two godchildren, Susan Julian Diaz and Cynthia (Sam) Wilson; sisters-in-law Lois Meshak and Caroline Schmudlach; brother-in-law David (Mary) Tesch.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne, in 2014; her parents, Henry & Mabel (Eake) Steckling; her in-laws, Alfred & Lena (Gollnick) Tesch; sisters-in-law, Lorraine (Tesch) & LaVerne Strandlie, LaDean (Tesch) & Harold Niebauer; brothers-in-law Wilbur & Ramona (Schmudlach) Tesch, Floyd & Lois (Corona) Tesch, John Meshak, and Duane Schmudlach; cousins, special friends, and neighbors.

The Christian Funeral Service for Joyce will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at 12:00 PM at Zion Ev. Lutheran Church, N987 County Road W, Fremont,(Readfield) with Pastor Matthew Vik officiating. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at 12:00 p.m. Joyce's mortal remains will be buried in Zion Lutheran Cemetery to await the call of our Lord Jesus Christ on the great day of His return. Then her soul will be reunited with a glorified body by Christ's power to join the Church Triumphant in offering the Redeemer perfect praise eternally.

A memorial fund has been established for Zion Ev. Lutheran Church or Zion Lutheran Cemetery.

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;

and whoever lives and believes in me will never die."

(John 11:25-26)