Joyce Carolyn Mael

Town of Lewiston - Joyce Carolyn Mael passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side on Sunday, December 25, 2016, at the age of 76.

Joyce, the daughter of Clarence and Leona (Schultz) Dreyer, was born in Portage on September 26, 1940. On June 4, 1960, she wed Gerald Mael at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Lewiston, a marriage that grew stronger and more caring each day for 56 years. In addition to raising a beautiful family and dedicating much of her time to community involvement, Joyce and her husband spent many years growing their construction business. She taught Sunday school for over 27 years, was an active member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Portage, and dedicated much of her time to Lutherans for Life and Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. Joyce’s commitment to family and faith was prominent throughout her lifetime; her passion positively affected each person who had the opportunity to know her.

Today, Joyce’s legacy is survived by her loving husband, Gerald; sons, Tom (Christine) Mael of Portage, Steven (Kathy) Mael of Portage, Michael Mael of Lewiston; daughter, Catherine Mael of Portage; siblings, Dennis (Trish Herreman) Dreyer of Portage, Gail (Ken) Koch of Portage, James (Karen) Dreyer of Sun Prairie, Richard Mael of Portage, Jane Calkins of Portage, Jean Brown of Portage; grandchildren, Nichole (Dustin) Mackanos of Val Paraiso, Indiana, Jamie (Chris) Unbehaun of LaValle, Katelyn (fiancé Ben Poppy) Mael of Portage, Austin Mael of Madison, Logan Mael of Portage; great-grandchildren, Zander and Avery Unbehaun of LaValle – as well as countless adoring cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Leona, granddaughter, Rachel Yonkers Mael, Elaine Mael and Dale Calkins.

Funeral services will begin on Friday, December 30, 2016, at 11:00 a.m., at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Portage, with Pastor Greg Hovland officiating. Burial will follow the service at Silver Lake Cemetery. Visitations will be at Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage on Thursday, December 29, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., and at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the beginning of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to groups that Joyce supported throughout her time with us and continue to advance her love of all life: Crisis Pregnancy Center, 311 E. Wisconsin St., Ste. 202, Portage, WI 53901 or Lutherans for Life of Wisconsin, 7421 Maple St., Webster, WI 54893.

The family would like to thank the staff at Agrace Hospice and Care Wisconsin for their compassionate support and care.

Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home is assisting the family during this process.