Joyce Fenn

Joyce M. Fenn, 89, passed away Wednesday, March 1, 2023.  A former resident of Seymour, WI and Shawano, WI, she moved to Oakdale, CA in 2011 to be closer to her daughter.

Born June 2, 1933, in Stephensville, WI to the late Clarence and Naureen (Komp) Liethen. Joyce grew up in Appleton, where she graduated from Appleton High School in 1951.  She was an Office Clerk at Home Mutual Insurance Company, Appleton, and later an Office Clerk at the Hittner Clinic and Morning Glory Dairy, Seymour.  Once she moved to Shawano, she worked full-time for 31 years at 21st Century Genetics, initially starting her career as a bookkeeper and later transitioning into Human Resources, Payroll and Benefits.  With her dedication to provide for the family and strong work ethic, while working full-time at 21st Century Genetics, she would also do bookkeeping in the evenings for Sacred Heart Church and School, along with working as a Hostess on weekends at the Spinning Wheel Supper Club in Shawano. Upon her retirement, she would continue to work part time at 21st Century Genetics until she moved to California.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Eugene “Gene” Fenn, 5 months earlier on October 7, 2022.  They were married August 21, 1954, at St. John’s Catholic Church, Seymour, WI. They were avid bowlers, followers of the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers, and enjoyed the family cottage on Shawano Lake in earlier years. Joyce enjoyed gardening, canning, and fishing. They would later live year-round on Shawano Lake for 32 years before moving to California.

She is survived by three children: Steve Fenn (Val) of Rice Lake, WI, David Fenn of Rothschild, WI, and Lori (Robert) Lubeck of Oakdale, CA; six grandchildren: Susan Okonkowski (Jeff Burton) of South Lyon, MI, Mike (Sara) Fenn of Milwaukee, WI, Taylor Fenn (Riley) of Sturgeon Lake, MN, Ryan (Jen) Glaeser of Oakdale, CA, Michael (Karli) Glaeser of Oakdale, CA, and Daniel Lubeck of Oakdale, CA; eight great grandchildren: Savannah & Jonathan Burton, Aiden & Olivia Fenn, Ezekiel Glaeser, and Madison, Kendall, and Matthew Glaeser. Joyce was the oldest of 10 children and is survived by her sister Nancy (Dennis) Kilsdonk of Plainfield, IL; brothers Wayne (Cindy) Liethen of Warsaw, IN, and Gary (Rosie) Liethen of Cedarburg, WI.

Joyce is preceded in death by her youngest son, Thomas (August 22, 1967 - June 21, 1977); her parents Clarence and Naureen (Komp) Liethen; sisters Shirley Liethen, Phyllis (Betters) Craney, Mary Rademacher, and Judith (Verkuilen) Trowbridge; brothers Robert Liethen and James Liethen; and her in-laws Earl and Lois (Echtner) Fenn.

Private family services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Joyce’s memory to Community Hospice Foundation, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356.

Franklin & Downs Funeral Home, Modesto, CA and Valley Crematory are assisting the family with arrangements. The family wishes to extend a very special thank you to the staff at Serenity Hill and Community Hospice for all their kindness and compassion shown to Joyce and the family.

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