Joyce L. Maass

PORTAGE – Joyce L. Maass, age 71, of Portage, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 4, 2024, at Our House Senior Living with her favorite stuffed Polar Bear on her chest, her sisters by her side, and her loving husband, Rick, holding her hand.

Joyce was born on August 8, 1952, in Portage.  She was the oldest of six girls, born to Elmer and Cecily Hickethier.  Joyce was a 1970 graduate of Portage High School and worked 45 years in various clerical positions.  Among her favorite jobs were Thorp Finance in Portage, Timme Construction in Endeavor, and SSM Health in Baraboo.

Joyce was united in marriage to Rick K. Maass on June 5, 1976.  Joyce was a devoted, loving, and supportive wife.  Joyce and Rick traveled the Midwest for 25 years while Rick played fast pitch softball.  During Rick’s high school coaching career, Joyce sat through hundreds of football, baseball, and basketball games.  Most importantly, Joyce worked 3 jobs in order to support Rick in his dream to be a teacher.  To recognize that dedication and display of unconditional love, Rick’s UW-Oshkosh degree was conferred upon Rick Joyce Maass.  Joyce was enamored with her nieces and nephews and attended many of their athletic events and dance recitals.

Joyce loved tending to her roses, feeding and watching the cardinals, listening to Elvis, Keith Urban, Willie Nelson, and crafting.  Joyce loved decorating her home with her treasures and Rick will struggle to live up to her standard.  Joyce loved to cook, and her stuffing for family Thanksgiving Celebrations was legendary.  Joyce found golf late in life and she and Rick loved spring break trips to Arizona and being members and playing at Thal Acres in Westfield.

Joyce is survived by her husband, Rick; her sisters, Donna (Lenard) Purves, Jean (Randy) Hinze, Rita (Scott) Maass, June (Allen) Fredrick, and Lori (John) Myhre; her nieces, nephews, and many friends.  Joyce is further survived by her mother-in-law, Betty Hewitt; brothers-in-law, Greg (Jeanne) Maass and Keven Hewitt.  Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Cecily (Copet) Hickethier; father-in-law, Russell Maass; step father-in-law, Donald “Red” Hewitt; step half-sister, Donnelle Hewitt; and other relatives.  

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at Portage United Methodist Church with the Rev. Kwang Yu Lee officiating.  Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, and from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the church.

Rick would like to thank Joyce’s sisters for their support, especially Rita and June for their assistance and advice, The Agrace Home Hospice Team, who helped Rick navigate a difficult and trying path and were with Rick and Joyce every step of the way, The Agrace Janesville Team, and Dawn and her staff at Our House in Portage.

Memorials in Joyce’s name may be given to the Portage United Methodist Church, The Greater Portage Youth Education Foundation, the Pardeeville Bulldog Support Foundation, or the Agrace Foundation.

Although the light of Joyce’s mortal life has been extinguished, her memory will remain aglow in the hearts of family and friends.

I am so grateful to you for the indelible mark you have left on my heart.

You have always been the wind beneath my wings.

Rest well and in peace, Joycie.

Rick