Obituaries

Joyce E. Ritsch, 84, of Eau Claire, WI, slipped gracefully into the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ on Thursday June 20, 2024, after a short illness with stomach cancer. Joyce was born on May 5, 1940, to John and Elfrieda (Ziebarth) Falter in Green Bay, WI. She graduated from Memorial High School, Class of 1958. Joyce married her fourth grade sweetheart, James Ritsch, on October 17, 1962. They were blessed with two children and enjoyed 61 loving years together.

Joyce planted her roots firmly into her greatest joy: being a wife, homemaker, mother, and grandmother. To her, everything mattered less than that; however, she was so much more. A few of many examples are a Sunday school teacher at St John’s Lutheran Church, the secretary of the PTA, and being a treasured friend to many. After raising her children, she started Joyce’s Foreign-5 in Putnam Heights. She had a gift for all things thoughtful, meaningful, and beautiful. Summers at the lake home, many travels to Hawaii, and wintering 17 years in Indio, CA brought her happiness. Her smiling eyes were filled with joy; and her faith was at the core of her very being.

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband Jim, her daughter Julie (Richard) Postlewaite of Eau Claire, WI, and son John (Ana) Ritsch of Las Vegas, NV. Her grandchildren, Ryan (Tiffany) Radosevich, Alyssa (Drew) Batty, Adam (Ashley) Radosevich, Ashley Ritsch (Nate Rauter), and Derek Ritsch (Ashlynn Moore). Her great grandchildren, Dawson, Madison, Reagan, and Haydin Radosevich; Harry, Annie, and much anticipated this fall- Benji Batty; Kamden, Scarlett, and Stella Radosevich. Her brother James (Joanne) Falter of Eau Claire, WI, many in laws, nieces and nephews, and cousins. She is also survived by her former daughter-in-law, Jodi Ritsch.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother John Falter of FL, and sister Lisolette Crandall of IL.

The visitation will be held from 9:30 am-11:00 am at St John’s Lutheran Church on Highland Avenue on June 27, 2024, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 am at the church with luncheon to follow. She will be laid to rest at Rest Haven Cemetery privately with immediate family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in her name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the American Cancer Society. The family would like to thank Mayo Clinic Hospice, especially Lisa, for the tremendous care provided. Friends and family may leave online condolences.