Joyce (Nelson) DeBruin, age 86, passed away on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at Hospice Alliance Inc./Hospice House.
Born on April 16, 1935 in Kenosha, she was the daughter of William and Cecelia (Kirschbaum) Nelson. She grew up attending local schools.
On September 26, 1952, Joyce was united in marriage to Robert DeBruin. He preceded her in death on April 30, 1997.
For 35 years, Joyce was a cook for U.W. Parkside, retiring in 2005. She greatly appreciated her shenanigan’s with her co-workers.
She was a sports fanatic, being a strident WI Badger, Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks and Milwaukee Brewers fan. She also loved golf and especially Phil Mickelson. Joyce will be remembered for her love of family and her closeness to her co-workers from Parkside.
Joyce will be greatly missed by her children, Christine (Mark) Blise and Kathleen (Fred) Ricker; her grandchildren, Jennifer (Kevin) Zierke, Robert (Rachel) Blise, Brent (Louisa) Ricker, Jay (Alex) Ricker; her great-grandchildren, Jace Zierke, Abby and Ellie Blise, Drew and Julia Ricker and a new baby boy Ricker coming in February 2022; her sister, Joan “Patsy” (Jeff) Lester; her brother, Joseph (Mary) Nelson.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brothers, Thomas Nelson and John Nelson.
The family would like to also thank the angels at Hospice House for their care and support of Joyce and her family. In addition, the family would also like to thank Dr. David Knight for giving them an extra nine years together.
We’ll see you tomorrow, Mom… “I’ll be here!”
