Joyce (Martalock) Graewin, 100, formerly of Norwalk, WI, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on February 28, 2025, at the Brookdale Nursing Home in La Crosse, WI. Born on November 20, 1924, in Stanley, WI, to Aaron Martalock and Elna (Steinke) Martalock. Joyce’s journey through life was marked by her devotion to family, church, and the simple pleasures of nature.
Joyce’s early life in Stanley was deeply rooted in her faith, confirmed in the Evangelical Lutheran Church on August 14, 1938. Her confirmation verse from Luke 11:28, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it,” became the guiding principle of her life. She carried these words in her heart, living by them in every action and interaction.
The union of Joyce and Erwin Graewin on September 7, 1946, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church on South Ridge, was a celebration of love and partnership that would endure for a lifetime.
Joyce’s love for the beauty of nature was evident to all who knew her. Her exquisite flower garden was more than a hobby; it was a sanctuary where she found peace and contentment.
Joyce took a custodial job with the newly formed Norwalk/Ontario school system in 1961 and then moved to Brookwood to work as one of the amazing “lunch ladies” until her retirement in 1986.
She and dad found time to travel to many areas of the country, but her favorite were the mountains and in the Western states. Her memories of growing up in Stanley, when the family survived a tornado, to the farming years with the Martalock families in South Ridge were repeated often to the delight of children, grandchildren, and then great grandchildren. She was the family google.
She was a forever present volunteer at St. Jacobs in Norwalk, teaching Sunday School, working as the janitor and with the ladies aid. Her church, family and garden were the focus of her life in her beloved village of Norwalk.
Joyce is survived by her sons, Ron (Jo Anne) of Wausau and Al (Jill) of La Crosse; grandchildren Emily (Aaron) Mertz, Renee (Scott) Paisley, and April (Chris) Prescott; great grandchildren, Isaiah (Michallie), Jake, Cooper, Eli, Cate, Morgan and Isabelle; nieces, Joan (Robin) Rickaway, Rachel and Susan Martalock, Barb (Ralph) Buehler; along with other relatives and friends.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Erwin; brother, Norman (Betty) Martalock; brother and sisters-in-law, Gilbert (Shirley) Graewin, Gladys Logsdon and a niece, Rebecca (David) Krueger.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 8, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at St. Matthew Lutheran Church- South Ridge- 25525 CTY Rd P, Ontario, WI 54651. Burial will follow in the Pilgrims Home Cemetery, Norwalk, WI. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at St. Matthew’s Church. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Cashton, WI, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com
Torkelson Funeral Home
