LODI - Joyce Ivah Mahlke Herwig Hillestad, age 101, died at Pine Villa Memory Care, Prairie du Sac, on March 17, 2025. She was born on July 17, 1923, at West Point Township (Lodi), the youngest daughter of eight children of John and Bertha (Montross) Mahlke. She graduated from Lodi High School in 1940 and married Roger Herwig on August 23, 1941; they had eight children; he preceded her in death in 1989. She married Earl Hillestad on June 1, 1991; he preceded her in death in 2004.

Joyce worked at Lodi Good Samaritan Nursing Home for more than 14 years. She was a ‘joyful’ participant in all organizations she joined, including the Lodi United Methodist Church, where she served as a board trustee, lifelong UWM member, Sunday School superintendent and teacher. She was a devoted member of the Queen Esther Chapter #4 OES for over 60 years, serving as Worthy Matron in 1963 and as Chair of the Past Matrons Club. She was appointed Grand Representative OES to Iowa 2009-2011. For 28 years she was treasurer of Garden Bluff Cemetery. She chaired the Advisory Board for Nutrition Sites Commission on Aging for Columbia County. For many years she served enthusiastically as a poll worker at Lodi elections.

Joyce attributed her longevity to doing 20 exercises before she got out of bed each morning and then going to bed with a mind full of wonderful memories every night. Between waking and sleeping she loved to socialize, play cards and complete word search puzzles. She had the gift of gab and her family was her favorite topic to talk about.

Joyce is survived by her children, Jill (Nick) Bjornstad, Fond du Lac, Wis., Dr. Steven (Karen) Herwig, West Des Moines, Iowa, Patricia Treinen (Jan Marlett), Bradenton, Fla., Brian (Karen) Herwig, Tell City, Ind., Randy Herwig (Carol Thompson), Lodi, Wis., and Sarah Herwig (Peter Anderson), Madison, Wis.; family friend, Carole Magilton (Ames, Iowa); 12 grandchildren, Scott (Cherie) Bjornstad, Neil (Kristin) Bjornstad, Christine (Peter) Boettcher, Todd (Marisa) Herwig, Paige Herwig (Brian Fletcher), Heather (Darin) Lowe, Amy (Josh) Pfaff, Emily Herwig, Stacey (Glen) Pomeroy, Justin Gasser, Kirsten Gasser and Hanna Herwig; 14 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her son, Gregory Herwig; and daughter, Dr. Joan Herwig.

A visitation will be held at LODI UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 130 Locust St., Lodi, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, March 21, 2025, with an Order of Eastern Star service at 6:45 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the church at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2025, with a visitation beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will take place after the luncheon at Garden Bluff Cemetery.

The family would like to thank Carrie, Amanda, Arlene and the staff at Pines Assisted Living and Pine Villa Memory Care and also Kevin and Mary from Agrace for their great loving care. Joyce always said she lived so long because of the good food they served and the great care they provided.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Lodi United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Lodi
Funeral & Cremation Care
157 South Main Street
(608) 592-3201

Joyce Ivah Hillestad

July 17, 1923 - March 17, 2025

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