Regina “Joyce” Koffman, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2024 at the Christian Home in Waupun, WI. Joyce was born in Lovilia, Iowa, on March 30, 1934 to Walter and Mary (nee Hackathorn) Beary. On March 30, 2024, she celebrated her 90th birthday surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who were her pride and joy.
Joyce graduated as valedictorian from Lovilia High School in 1952. She married the love of her life, Alex Koffman on September 11, 1954. After marrying Alex, the couple moved to Ames, IA, where Joyce worked as a dress model in a dress shop while Alex attended and graduated from college. Through a college friend, the couple learned of some farms available in the Eden area; they purchased their dairy farm in 1961, moving to Wisconsin with their four children. They continued expanding their family for a total of eight children.
Joyce loved spending time with her family. Known as the “Blue Zephyr” within the family for her strong work ethic; she milked cows, tended a large garden, sewed clothing, and kept her eight children healthy and safe. Joyce loved being “Muttie” and raised her family with God as her guide and joy in her heart. She was a great sounding board and was always available for one-on-one conversations, sharing her years of wisdom and humor. She always said to come down in the morning with a smile, even sending kids back upstairs in the morning and telling them to come down when they could get a smile on their face instead of a frown.
While farming, Joyce was an active member of the National Farmers Organization, the Rosary Club at St. Mary’s – Eden, and a 4-H Leader in sewing and foods. For many years, Joyce made both beautiful wire and string rosaries that she donated, including to active military personnel.
After raising her children, Joyce went to Moraine Park Technical College and graduated on May 27, 1988 with a technical diploma as a Nursing Assistant. She worked at Rolling Meadows Nursing Home until the mid-1990s.
Lifelong learner, Joyce took classes in cake decorating, hair cutting, ceramics, jewelry making, and computers. She always made a point of making a special birthday cake for each of her children and many of her grandchildren. Joyce made wedding cakes for several area weddings and for many of her children. On Saturdays, Joyce would make pancakes for the kids and often make cinnamon rolls for Sunday mornings. Great aromas always came from her kitchen such as homemade bread, cookies, pies, and tortes. She would always have special treats for the grandkids when they came to visit.
After retiring, Joyce and Alex traveled, flying to Ireland, Rome, Hong Kong, and Puerto Rico. For many years, the couple spent winters in Florida and the warmer months in Wisconsin.
Joyce leaves behind her children Michael Koffman, James (Cynthia) Koffman, William (Barb) Koffman, Sheryl (Michael) Dreikosen, Edward (Janice) Koffman, Regina (Kathy Smith) Koffman, Mary Koffman, and Larry (Heather) Koffman. Her grandchildren Miranda Treiber, Andrew (Katie) Koffman, Anthony (Jessica) Koffman, Joseph (Lindsey) Koffman, Catherine (Andrew) Ehlers, Tonya (Bubba) Charneski, Lana (Dave) Van Ess, Paul Dreikosen, Alex (Megan) Dreikosen, Erin (Michael) Burke, Luke (Caitlin) Koffman, Samuel Koffman, Jacob Koffman, and Thomas Koffman. Her great grandchildren Hannah, Peter, and Grace Koffman; Patrick, David, and Stefanie Koffman; Jana, Lena, and Nora Koffman; Elizabeth and Caroline Ehlers; Tyler and Trevor Charneski, Oliver and Henry Dreikosen, Alexa Burke, Karleia Koffman. Her sister Helen Williams and sisters-in-law Marilyn Koffman, Georgina Beary, and Betty Beary.
Joyce is preceded in death by her loving husband of 65 years, Alex Koffman and her grandson Daniel Treiber. She is also preceded by her brothers Larry (Joan), Walter, and Jerome Beary; sisters Lorretta (Ernie) Corso and Pauline (Robert) Claman; and brothers-in-law Pete Williams, Michael Koffman, John (Dorothy) Koffman, Kay (Bill) Myers, Thomas Koffman, and Paul (Jane) Koffman.
Special thanks to Flora and the staff at the Waupun Christian Home for their loving care of Joyce and their support to the family over the last four years.
Visitation will be Sunday, July 28, 2024, at Twohig Funeral Home in Campbellsport from 3:00-6:00 pm with a family rosary at 5:30 pm at the funeral home, and on the day of the funeral from 9:30-10:30am at the church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, July 29th at Shepherd of the Hills Catholic Church at 11:00 am, with interment afterwards at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Eden. Memorial gifts can be directed to the Shepherd of the Hills choir fund, W1562 County Road B, Eden, WI 53019 (make checks out to “Shepherd of the Hills” and denote ‘Choir Fund’ in the memo line).
Twohig Funeral Home is serving the family with online guestbook and condolences at www.twohigfunerals.com.
Posted online on July 18, 2024
