Obituary: Joyce Rowe

As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home:

Joyce E. Rowe, age 80, a resident of Hancock passed to her heavenly home on January 3, 2022 surrounded by her family.  Joyce  was born on December 20, 1941 in Hancock to John and Elsie (Lexon) Walstrom. She attended the local schools and graduated from Houghton High School with the Class of 1959.   Joyce was a varsity sports cheerleader with her twin sister, Janet Walstrom.   Joyce and Janet had triplet sisters: Joan, Jean and Judy, born 20 months prior.   On August 4, 1962 she was united in marriage to Jay Rowe in Hancock.  Joyce had a successful career as Executive Secretary to the Copper Country Intermediate School District (CCISD), retiring in 2004 after 30 years of dedicated service.

 Joyce was a 30-year member of the Miscowabik Club of Calumet, enjoying the company of many of the older folks dining there.  Joyce enjoyed going to the Baraga Casino, taking yearly trips to Las Vegas, and was Brett Favre’s #1 fan, no matter what team he played on.  Above all, Joyce was a dedicated mother to her sons Gregory, Chad and Nathan Rowe, who she guided through their childhood with a tight hand.  She was responsible for the security of her children while her husband, Jay, was on assignment for 18 months at Thule Air Force Base inGreenland.  

She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Elsie (Lexon) Walstrom, In-laws Oakley and Gertrude (Amala) Rowe, brother John (Rick) Walstrom, and sister Judy (Marvin) Worrinen.   She is survived by brother James Walstrom of Canal View, sisters Jean (James Brusse) of Hancock and Florida, Joan (Tom) Immonen of Ontonagon and Texas, and Janet Oinas of Milwaukee.    Joyce is survived by her husband, Jay Donald Rowe, of 60 years and their sons Gregory (Mary) Rowe of Green Bay, Chad (Rhonda) Rowe of Hubbell and Nathan (Laura) Rowe of Laurium.   She was a proud grandmother to Tanya and Mark Rowe of Green Bay, Andrea (Ricardo) Martin of Florida, Emme and Elle Rowe of Hubbell,  Trevor Rowe of Lansing, Garrett, Jordyn, and Grace Rowe of Laurium.     Joyce is also survived by her great-grandchildren Liam, Vieno, and Rylin.   She is further survived by Jay’s brother, Mark F. (Colleen) Rowe, Sisters Judy (Paul) Jarve, Elaine (Leonard) Beaudoin, Carol (Jack) Barry, and Jean Rowe Cygan all of Calumet, sister-in-law Nancy (Ken) Rowe.    Joyce is also survived by her special Aunt Grace (Lexon) Juleff of Houghton and many loved nephews, nieces, and cousins.

A special thank you to those assisting Joyce throughout her past 13 years of dementia with Lewy Bodies and Parkinson’s.   Husband, Jay, cared for Joyce during those years, except for 18 months of great care she received at Gardenview Memory Care. 

A memorial service will be held on Monday July 18, 2022 at 11:00 am in the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be held on Monday July 18, 2022 from 10:00 am-11:00 am. A luncheon will be in the Siskiwit Reception Hall located next to the Funeral Home follow the service. 

Erickson-Crowley-Peterson Funeral Home of Calumet is in charge of arrangements

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com