Joyce Emma Wheeler

Joyce was born on January 20, 1937, to Frieda and Frank Schoen. She graduated from Faribault High School in 1954. On October 23, 1959, she was united in marriage to Lawrence Wheeler, with whom she shared a lifetime of love and adventure. Together they made their home in a charming 1.5 story Tudor in Southwest Minneapolis, where they raised their two children and lived for more than 60 years.

Joyce was a devoted homemaker and an exceptional seamstress. She enjoyed cross-stitching, macramé, wood refinishing, and gardening. For many years, she worked as a cook at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Edina while her two children attended school there.

A lover of the outdoors, Joyce found joy and peace in nature throughout her life. She loved jogging around Lake Harriet, cross-country skiing, and walking the many lakes throughout the Twin Cities. She especially treasured camping trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness with Lawrence. She was a competitive game player especially with her grandchildren who were convinced she had cheated to win, but she hadn’t! She especially enjoyed playing dominoes and marbles with her siblings and in-laws.

Known affectionately as “Nana” to her grandchildren, Joyce will be remembered for her beautiful smile, quick sense of humor, and the warmth she shared with all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence; her parents, Frieda and Frank Schoen; son-in-law, Allen Ische and brothers-in-law, Leonard Pankow and Gene Morris.

She is survived by her children, Cindy Ische (Gary Cayo) and Bryan Wheeler (Jeri); her cherished grandchildren, Michael Ische (Kayla), Aaron Ische (Kristi), Lydia Wheeler and Emily Wheeler; her sister, Helen Morris; her brother and sister-in-law, Franklin and Barb Schoen; her brothers-in-law, Dennis Weber and Ron Weber (Marie); and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, March 8, from 1:00PM-3:00PM at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, in the Fireplace Room. Refreshments will be served.

The family would like to thank The Waters of Edina, Bluestone Physicians and Hospice of the Midwest for their compassionate care.