Joyce Marie Bahr Bloechel went to be with her Lord and Savior on April 17, 2011. I have written my own obituary so if there are any errors, they are mine. I was born in Ironwood, Michigan on August 21, 1943 to Adam and Cecile (Rizza-Daldos) Gulan. My family moved to Kohler, Wisconsin when I was in kindergarten and was fortunate to spend most of the summers of my youth in Gile and Hurley, Wisconsin where many of our relatives lived.
After graduating from Kohler High School I worked at the Kohler Company and Sheboygan Memorial Hospital. I moved to Oshkosh in 1970 and subsequently worked at Morgan Company, Mercy Medical Center, Orthopedic Clinic, and at Oshkosh Truck Corporation (from which I retired in 2008).
Carl Bahr and I were married in 1973. He was a strong, yet gentle, Christ-filled man. Carl passed away in 1985, but we shared three wonderful kids. In 1991 I married Jim Bloechel, a generous and kind soul. He has a heart of gold and the spirit of God within him. I am survived by: Mei (Paul) Bloechl and daughter Kendra; Carl James Bahr, II who has four great kids, Angela, Aidan, Hailey, and Gavin; Mary Jo (Steve) Crooks, and her children, Andy Saray, Kyler, and Kaleb (with a K).
I am also survived by Jim's two daughters, Jennifer (Aaron) Stelzner their children Brittany, Zachary, and Shannon; Julie Redemann (Steve Redemann –deceased) her two children Thomas and Annika; my sister Gloria and brother-in-law Harry Elkins live in Palm Bay, Florida. My brother, Raymond (Linda) Gulan, sister-in-law, Lois Gulan, survive me. I am further survived by some special aunts, uncles, and cousins as well as many nieces and nephews.
Both my son Adam Carl Bahr (1975) and grandson Adam Phillip Bloechl died after birth. My parents died when I was 17. Grandparents and many paternal and maternal aunts and uncles have predeceased me. I look forward to seeing them now.
Six special friends have made my life full of fun and spontaneity: Kay Hall, Donna Hay, Kerry Schumacher, Mary Vehelst, Judith Bloom, and CeCe Carroll are all classy ladies. The world is better because of you.
I have been cremated. A Christian Burial Service will be held at Martin Luther Church, 1526 Algoma Blvd., at 4:00 P.M. on April 26, 2011 with Pastors Jeffery Berg and Nathan Ericson officiating. A time for gathering will be held at the church from 3:30 P.M. until the time of the service. Inurnment will be in Lake View Memorial Park.
Please don't grieve for me. I know you will miss me, but remember, I am in the House of God the Father. I will never again wince with pain when I take a step or move my wrists and hands. I will not grow old and be confined to a life of incontinence and dementia. I leave this world having known true love and having seen all three of my children happy and have met all of my grandchildren. My one request is to please take care of Jimmy; God made only one of him.
In lieu of flowers, I have asked that a memorial be set up to further the Christian education of any and all of my 13 grandchildren.
Joyce's family would like to thank Dr. Steven Blaha and his staff; Dr. Zahid Dar and his chemo staff (who really make a chemo session enjoyable); and Dr. Steven Wilson with his right hand Edy, all at Aurora Medical Center. Along with the doctors and nurses at the Wachtel Cancer Center at Mercy Medical Center and the Hospice Staff of Aurora VNA. Also, a very special thank you goes to the Oshkosh Truck Family for all the wonderful dinners and meaningful visits provided to Joyce the last days.
Please visit www.seefeldfuneral.com to share condolences and memories online.
Seefeld Funeral and
Cremation Services
(920) 236-7750