Joyce Roberts

Joyce Ann Roberts passed away peacefully in the early hours on Monday, January 17th, 2022 in Wausau Wisconsin. Joyce was born March 31st, 1935 to Richard and Claudina Krueger in Wausau. They lived just around the corner from Grandma Thomas. Most of the neighborhood was made up of my mother’s relatives. On April 7th, 1954 Joyce was united in marriage to Kenneth David Roberts in Wausau. After their wedding, they began their adventures traveling the world while dad served in the US Army.

Joyce was a beloved great-grandmother, grandmother, mother, wife, and friend. Our mother just adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. There isn’t anything she wouldn’t do for them. Mom’s greatest joy was her family whom she loved spending time with. Mother was the family historian. She would share stories of the Schmidt and Krueger family as we were growing up. What exciting tales she had to share.

Mother had a love for animals. We had an array of pets as we were growing up. Mom had her two cats Sadie and Maya until the end. Mom would feed the stray cats of the neighborhood, and fed the two baby skunks by her deck for some time. She attended Sawdust Days in Oshkosh one year for an animal attraction and held two killer boa constrictors and thought nothing of it. We never knew mother liked snakes, she never appreciated the boys bringing snakes into the house.

Our beloved mother belonged to the “breakfast club” in Wausau. She would get together with her numerous girlfriends and they would have breakfast once a week. What an interesting group of women. It must have been like high school, gossiping and chatting away. We are grateful Joyce had these wonderful friends in her life, they brought so much joy to her.

Mom was a fabulous cook. She made angel food cakes with fluffy frosting for her children’s birthdays. Fabulous scalloped potatoes, delicious pumpkin bars, and banana bread. Joyce made Grandma Krueger’s “double-boiled” fruit salad, no one can follow that recipe. Home-made macaroni and cheese, yum, yum!

Joyce worked as a CNA most of her life. She started at memorial on Grand Avenue, then North Hospital on the hill. When North Hospital closed down, she transferred to Wausau Hospital Center until her retirement.

Joyce was preceded by her parents; husband, Kenneth David Roberts; sister, Nancy Roberts; brother-in-law, David Roberts; 2-year-old brother, Tommy Krueger, and grandson, BJ Schmidt.

She is survived by her son, Kenneth David (Eve) Roberts of Anchorage, AK, son, Claude (Heidi) Roberts of Wausau, daughter, Gloria (Rob) Brandt of Wausau, and daughter, Carol (Robert) Roberts-Schmidt of Oshkosh. She leaves behind her 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild; brother, DuWayne of Wausau, and many other family members, friends, and beloved cats Maya and Sadie.

The hardest part about losing mother is wanting to pick up the phone and talk to her about the grandkids, how everyone is doing, work, and travels, but she isn’t there anymore, only in our dreams.

A service to celebrate Joyce’s legacy will be held at 11:00 am Monday, January 31st at Wesley Methodist Church, 1101 Elm St. Wausau, with visitation from 9:00 am – 11:00 am at the church. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family. www.helke.com