Joyce Elizabeth Chase, 84, of Tomah passed away Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014, at the Morrow Memorial Home in Sparta, surrounded by members of her beloved family.
Born on May 3, 1929, in Hustler, Joyce grew up in Wilton and, in 1946, married Lorenzo “Ren” Parrish in Bensenville, Ill. The couple was blessed with nine children. She was remarried in 1968 to LaVerne E. Chase in New Lisbon, where she was bookkeeper for their salvage business in Kendall.
She is survived by her sister, Patricia Taylor of Tomah; two sisters-in-law, Carrie Doyle of Wilton and Georgene Doyle of Oregon; a brother, James “Jim” Doyle and wife Verna of Wilton; and an uncle, Clayton Hansen of Tomah.
In addition, her survivors include her children, Vikki Parrish of Madison, Gail (Walter) Spodeck of Shalimar, Fla., SueAnne Parrish, of Louisville, Ky., Wanda Elliott of Tomah, Steven Parrish of Tomah, Jan Parrish of Juneau, Alaska, Scott Parrish of Wilton, Tracy Parrish of Tomah and Elizabeth Jill Noel of Onalaska; and her stepchildren, Carl Chase of Camp Douglas and Ronald Chase of Tomah. Joyce’s close-knit and extensive family also included 22 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Freda (Hansen) and Emmet Doyle; her husbands, Lorenzo and LaVerne; two brothers, Robert and John “Jack” Doyle; and her sisters, Elizabeth “Betty” Worthington and Mary O’Gara.
A tireless and loving matriarch, Joyce never failed in support and caring devotion for her extensive family and friends. She never forgot a birthday and excelled as a homemaker. A member of the Glendale Homemakers Club, she was widely known for her cooking and baking skills, much to the delight of those who frequently gathered around her table during holidays and special occasions. All of her children cherish many memories of her kitchen and the unforgettable raisin-filled cookies and other baked treats created there. She often entertained guests with stories of her days as a high school marching band majorette, and sometimes a lucky visitor might depart with a token from her self-made crafts and ceramics collection in hand. Her indomitable spirit, sense of humor and compassionate nature will be sadly missed.
Though her family’s lives and interests were paramount, Joyce also relished occasional excursions outside her native state. An accomplished traveler, she treasured her visits to Ireland, Mexico, Costa Rica, Alabama, Florida, Alaska, Oregon, Nebraska, South Dakota, New Mexico, California, Kentucky, Chicago, New Orleans and New York City.
Also admired as a devout and dedicated churchgoer, Joyce was a longtime member of both St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Kendall and St. John’s Catholic Church in Wilton and assisted both auxiliaries on many occasions.
Sincere appreciation is expressed on behalf of Joyce Chase’s family for the compassionate and loving treatment she received from the staff of the Morrow Home in Sparta while in hospice care there.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Kendall. Father David Bruener will officiate. Burial will be in Fowler Cemetery in the town of Plymouth (Elroy).
Relatives and friends are invited to call at the church on Friday from 4-8 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of the Mass. A parish rosary will be recited at the church on Friday at 4 p.m. The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home in Kendall is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
