Joyce "Joy" Cate

1925 - 2017

Cate, Joyce "Joy"

Joyce "Joy" (nee: Lesselyong) Cate, age 91, moved on to her next great journey on Monday, March 27, 2017 at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Neenah, WI. She was born April 17, 1925. Joy graduated high school from St. Joseph's Academy in Green Bay, WI. After high school, she attended St. John's School of Nursing in Springfield, IL where she received her nursing degree from the State of Illinois. Joy worked for one year at St. Francis's Hospital in Honolulu, HI where she met the love of her life, Richard Cate, who was serving in the U.S. Navy at the time. On November 2, 1949, she married Richard M. Cate in Dubuque, IA and together they shared 54 years of marriage before his passing on October 19, 2004. Joy worked for 20 years at the Winnebago Mental Health Facility before her retirement. She will be dearly missed by all of her loving family and friends.

Joy is survived by four children, Connie (Michael) Worzala of Green Bay, WI, Christine Popp of Appleton, WI, Claire (William) Reid of Hamilton, TX, and Richard J. (Susie) Cate of Wrightstown, WI. She is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Richard M. Cate; a daughter, Catherine Cate; a son-in-law, Gary Popp; and three brothers.

Per Joy's wishes, no services will be held. Burial will take place at the Central WI Veterans Memorial Cemetery in King, WI at a later date. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.

Joy's family extends heartfelt gratitude to the Holly Funeral Home and to the staff at Bethany Pines for all of their help and support given to our family over the years. We would also like to thank everyone who contributed to her care and comfort in the ER and Neuro IMCU at ThedaCare in Neenah. The special care our mother received will never be forgotten.

"Be on the stairs at noon, Joyce, lunch is served."