Joyce (Martalock) Graewin, 100, formerly of Norwalk, Wis., passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Feb. 28, 2025, at Brookdale Nursing Home in La Crosse, Wis.
She was born Nov. 20, 1924, in Stanley, Wis., to Aaron Martalock and Elna (Steinke) Martalock. Joyce’s journey through life was marked by her devotion to family, church, and the simple pleasures of nature.
Joyce’s early life in Stanley was deeply rooted in her faith, confirmed in the Evangelical Lutheran Church on Aug. 14, 1938. Her confirmation verse from Luke 11:28, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it,” became the guiding principle of her life. She carried these words in her heart, living by them in every action and interaction.
The union of Joyce and Erwin Graewin on Sept. 7, 1946, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church on South Ridge, was a celebration of love and partnership that would endure for a lifetime.
Joyce’s love for the beauty of nature was evident to all who knew her. Her exquisite flower garden was more than a hobby; it was a sanctuary where she found peace and contentment.
Joyce took a custodial job with the newly formed Norwalk/Ontario school system in 1961, and then moved to Brookwood to work as one of the amazing “lunch ladies” until her retirement in 1986.
She and dad found time to travel to many areas of the country, but her favorite were the mountains and in the Western states. Her memories of growing up in Stanley, when the family survived a tornado, to the farming years with the Martalock families in South Ridge, were repeated often to the delight of children, grandchildren, and then great-grandchildren. She was the family Google.
She was a forever-present volunteer at St. Jacob’s in Norwalk, teaching Sunday School, working as the janitor, and serving with the ladies aid. Her church, family and garden were the focus of her life in her beloved village of Norwalk.
Joyce is survived by her sons, Ron (Jo Anne) of Wausau and Al (Jill) of La Crosse; her grandchildren, Emily (Aaron) Mertz, Renee (Scott) Paisley, and April (Chris) Prescott; her great-grandchildren, Isaiah (Michallie), Jake, Cooper, Eli, Cate, Morgan and Isabelle; her nieces, Joan (Robin) Rickaway, Rachel and Susan Martalock, and Barb (Ralph) Buehler; along with other relatives and friends.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Erwin; her brother, Norman (Betty) Martalock; her brother- and sisters-in-law, Gilbert (Shirley) Graewin and Gladys Logsdon; and a niece, Rebecca (David) Krueger.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 8, at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, South Ridge, 25525 County Hwy. P, Ontario, WI 54651. Burial will follow in the Pilgrims Home Cemetery, Norwalk, Wis. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at St. Matthew’s Church. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Cashton, Wis., is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
