Joyce N. Kufahl

Joyce N. Kufahl, 98, of Merrill, formerly of the Town of Pine River, passed away Monday, July 15, 2024, at Woodland Court Elder Services, Merrill.

Joyce was born June 14, 1926, in the Town of Corning, Lincoln County, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of Max and Hazel (Staege) Berndt. In June 1928, she was welcomed into the community of Christ by Holy Baptism at St. Paul’s Church of Christ in the Town of Corning. She was Confirmed at St. Stephens United Church of Christ in Merrill in March 1940. She married Ellsworth Kufahl on January 26, 1946. They were blessed with seven children: Kathleen, Kathryn, Rita, Robert, Thomas, Gloria, and Sandi.

Joyce enjoyed gardening, canning, baking, and cooking. She was an avid churchgoer and was a member of the Ladies Aid. In younger years, Joyce enjoyed open water fishing, ice fishing, and snowmobiling. She also enjoyed hunting and was very proud of the 9-point buck she harvested.

Joyce is survived by her children, Robert (Debbie) Kufahl of Merrill; Thomas Kufahl (Kate Robley) of Appleton, and Sandi (Tim) Schmeltzer of Tomahawk; and son-in-law, Tom Giganti of Green Bay. Joyce is also survived by her grandchildren and great grandchildren, Dawn Young (Dewey Dengel) and son Riley; Cade (Ann Marie) Kufahl and children Sklyar and Valie; Andrew Kufahl (Monique Moretti) and son Aksel; Jessica (Nick) Gardner and sons Andrew and Jake; David (Carley) Gammey and daughter Emily; Brian Kufahl and children Bryce, Lily, and Malayna; Lyndsay (David) Krueger and children Ryker, Rayah, and Renleigh; Joshua (Ashley) Schmeltzer and daughter Caroline; and Susan Giganti and daughters Alex and Morgan.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Ellsworth Kufahl; parents, Max and Hazel Berndt; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Jane Kufahl; daughters, Kathleen Kufahl, Kathryn Kufahl, Rita Giganti, and Gloria Gammey; son-in-law, Timothy Gammey; sister and brother-in-law, Janet and Ben Malluege; nephew, Larry Malluege; and several other relatives.

The funeral service for Joyce will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, July 20, 2024, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Town of Pine River, Lincoln County. The Rev. Greg Laska will officiate. Interment will take place in St. Paul's Church Cemetery, Town of Pine River. A public viewing will be held from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Friday, July 19, 2024, at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill. The family will receive friends after 10:00 A.M. Saturday at the church.

The family would like to thank Woodland Court Elder Services, Merrill, and Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services for the wonderful care they provided to Joyce.

The family suggests memorials in Joyce's name be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Town of Pine River.

Taylor-Stine Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Merrill, is assisting the family.

Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com