Joyce Mary Wagner

Joyce Mary Wagner, of Sheboygan, formerly of Antigo and Eagle River, passed away on December 2, 2024 in Grafton, WI. She was 74 years old.

Joyce was born on September 22, 1950 in Antigo, the 8th child of Leon and Alice (Schumitsch) Kretz. She attended St. John Catholic School, Antigo and then Antigo High School, graduating in 1968. She went on to attend Marquette University in Milwaukee. She was united in marriage to Jeff Wagner on June 3, 1972 at St. John Catholic Church, Antigo.

Joyce spent many years as a bookkeeper, working for various businesses in Antigo including Dog ‘n Suds, Ranchers Fur Auction, Farmers Potato Exchange, and WATK/WRLO Radio. She was also a part-owner at Dog ‘n Suds and WATK/WRLO Radio.

Joyce was devoted to her faith and for most of her adult life, she served as Religious Education Coordinator for St. John Catholic Church in Antigo for 25 years before moving to Eagle River. She was named Catechist of the year for the Diocese of Green Bay in 1989. After moving to Eagle River in 2005, she served as Coordinator for Faith Formation for youth and adults at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Parish in Rhinelander, retiring in 2018.

Joyce found interest and was active in youth activities. She served as Operation Aware Instructor, a guidance program in the Antigo Catholic Schools. She also served as the Secretary/Treasurer of Antigo Little League and Secretary of Antigo Youth Hockey.

Joyce loved her family, her faith, and all children. She enjoyed music, youth sports, and athletics of all kinds, but especially the St. Louis Cardinals.

She is survived by her husband Jeff of 52 years, son Todd (Jill Niemczyk) Wagner of Sheboygan, daughter Tara (Lance) Schuttenhelm of La Crosse, grandchildren Nadia Wagner, Tallin Schuttenhelm, and Ella Schuttenhelm, brothers Terry (Jamine) Kretz, Joe (Sandy) Kretz, sister Joan (Dennis) Cline, a sister-in-law Ludene (Wagner) DeWan, 2 brothers-in-law Ron Randl and Larry Krueger. She is further survived by many nieces and nephews who lovingly called her Aunt Mouse.

In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by brothers Kenny and Tom Kretz, sisters Judy Randl and Janet Krueger, sister-in-law Teddy Kretz, a brothers-in-law Lee DeWan and Thomas Wagner, nephew Kenn Kretz, and a niece Missy Randl.

Number 10 will truly be missed by the Kretz Family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, December 16, 2024 at 12:00 PM at St. John Catholic Church, Antigo with Very Rev. Joel Sember and Rev. Charles Hoffmann officiating. Visitation will take place, prior to the service at the church from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Entombment will follow the service at Queen of Peace Cemetery, Antigo.

Memorials in Joyce’s name will be directed to various local non-profit organizations by the family.