TOMAH - Joyce Ann Cain, 82, passed peacefully from my arms into the arms of our Lord early Sunday morning, January 14th, 2024. She was surrounded by those she loved the most, her family. Her journey began February 27, 1941, in Milwaukee. Her parents, Gib and Lucille (Lobe) Friedl moved to Tomah in 1944. She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. Joyce went to St. Mary’s grade school and graduated from the Tomah High School in 1959. From there she studied music at the Milwaukee Conservatory for Music, concentrating on piano. She was employed by both Allis Chalmers and Allen Bradley, in Milwaukee.
Joyce grew up working in her parent’s Dairy Queen and later co-managed the new Dairy Queen with her brother, Don. Joyce played both piano and organ at St. Mary’s over the years. She played at St. Mary’s for the first time when she was four years old. If you start from then, she played at St. Mary’s for over 60 years. She also sang in the Marquette and Allen Bradley choirs. Her talent didn’t end there though. Joyce acted the role of Mother Superior in the play Nunsense for the A.C.T theatre and played piano for other A.C.T plays. Joyce was a member of the St. Kathryn’s guild at St. Mary’s and was an avid bridge player with several local groups. She was also an active member of the Red Hats Society.
Joyce touched many lives by giving the gift of music through piano lessons. She taught for over 25 years. It was a labor of love on her part.
Joyce is preceded in death by a brother Gary and his wife Mary Jane, her parents, Gib and Lucille Friedl, her grandparents, and many aunts and uncles.
Joyce leaves behind 2 sisters, Mary Welch and Carol Wagor and their husbands, Tom and Mark. She also leaves behind a brother, Donald, and his wife, Donna. At her side when she died were her 3 beloved sons, Kent, Wayne, and Wade, and Wayne’s wife Penny and their daughter, Kayla. She is further survived by Kent’s wife Carrie and their daughter, Elyse. I was privileged to have Joyce at my side for 56 years as Mrs. William H. Cain.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, January 26, 2024, 10:30 A.M. at Queen of the Apostles Parish at St. Mary’s Church, 303 W Monroe St. Tomah. Monsignor David Kunz will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation on Friday at the church from 9:30 AM until the time of the service. Livestream viewing of Joyce’s service can be seen via the Queen of Apostles YouTube page.
A Parish Rosary will be recited on Thursday, January 25, 2024, 4:00 P.M. at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home followed by a visitation until 6:30 PM. Online condolences may be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilyfhl.com.
Memorials in Joyce’s memory can be given to hospice.
Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home
