Joyce V. Russell

It’s about the children,” Joyce Russell would say as she generously donated money to charities. Unfortunately, Joyce will no longer voice that sentiment as she passed away on April 17, 2023.

Born in Oshkosh, Wis., June 20, 1927, to Herbert and Leone (Prill) Schultz, Joyce was raised by stern German parents during the Depression when luxuries were nonexistent. From a young age, Joyce had adult responsibilities such as looking out for her senile grandfather and learning to drive at age 12. When lonely, Joyce invented games like pretending to be blind. As she aged, this childhood game became a reality.

Joyce found time to explore nature at the modest cottage that her father had built on Lake Butte des Morts. Emulating her father’s hunting skills, Joyce once shot a chipmunk - no small feat to hit a little animal with a BB gun. Proudly, she hung it from a tree to show her father; unfortunately, the carcass putrefied in the sun before his return.

Graduating from Oshkosh High in 1945, Joyce saw that opportunities for women’s careers were largely limited to teaching or nursing. She chose nursing. To convince her parents, who believed education was senseless for girls, Joyce promised to practice nursing for five years before getting married AND to take care of them for the rest of their lives. She succeeded, graduating from Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago in 1948. True to her word, Joyce took care of both parents through disease and aging.

Intending to continue her nursing education in Madison, Joyce ran out of funds but not before meeting the love of her life, Hugh Russell, on a blind date. They sat all night talking, discovering not only that Joyce knew Hugh’s father, “Doc” Russell, but that Doc and Herb shared a birthdate. When Hugh popped the question, Joyce was overjoyed. They got married on April 12, 1953, the 59th wedding anniversary of Joyce’s grandparents.

The first few years of marriage were a struggle as money was tight. At one point, Joyce and newborn child, Beth, needed to move in with Joyce’s parents while Hugh stayed behind in Black River Falls sleeping in the local jail as the sheriff took pity on Hugh’s situation. Life changed when Hugh found a job with the State and the family moved to Madison. They built their dream home in Hill Farms in 1957. Soon Jay, Sharon and Sue were born.

Hugh’s job required frequent travel, so Joyce managed the household and four energetic children - an exhausting endeavor. Overwhelmed, Joyce put the kids to bed early and used the quiet time to sew. Over time, Joyce became a masterful seamstress providing herself, her children, and later, her grandchildren with personalized clothing. Many of her creations are still worn by her great-grandchildren.

Later, Joyce returned to practice as a visiting nurse helping discharged patients. One particular assignment infuriated Joyce: a simple bandage change became a seven-hour odyssey to locate the physician’s orders, clarify them and finally return to the patient. Joyce envisioned better for discharged patients. She pressed her case for improved outpatient care with the Visiting Nurse Service management and her persistence resulted in the creation of a home care nursing program at Madison General (now Meriter) Hospital with Joyce running the program. Despite resistance from the doctors, Joyce opened their eyes to the benefits of the program, and it is still going strong today.

Between Joyce’s practice of saving quarters and her salary, she funded her kids’ college educations and surprised Hugh with a Hawaiian vacation for their 25th anniversary. Travel became a passion for the couple. When Sharon moved to France, Joyce arrived with a purse while Hugh was responsible for the six suitcases, three carry-ons, and a video camera that Joyce had packed. Hugh and the vexed son-in-law schlepped the load up four flights to the tiny Parisian apartment for a short five-week stay.

In 2010, Joyce and Hugh made the difficult decision to leave their dream home of over 50 years and move to Oakwood Village. Hugh died shortly thereafter, leaving a 57-year hole in her life. She then delighted in family calls, visits, and gatherings, donated to underserved children and other charities including UW women’s sports. She used her computer skills to write autobiographical essays, send cards, and buy gifts for family. She avidly followed the Badgers, Packers and Brewers.

Daughter Sue, without telling her siblings, got 89-year-old Joyce a smartphone. When surprised son, Jay, got his first text from his mother asking where he was, he replied he was out of town. Joyce responded “Habe a good time.” <sigh> her first typo.

Her failing health presented obstacles to overcome. Broken hip, osteoporosis and other maladies complicated her life. Lost vision in one eye and drooping eyelids led to her common refrain: “I can’t SEE!” Joyce found an excellent helper in Cindy and began massage therapy for pain management with Mary. Their help became more frequent in her later years.

In Joyce’s 90s, God tested her with bouts of pneumonia, a severe salmonella infection, and glaucoma. She fought back, worked hard, and returned to her apartment after each challenge. She was tough.

During her last hospital stay with pneumonia, her family assumed she would continue the pattern of recovery. God had other plans piling on additional life-threatening conditions. After three days, Joyce was moved to Agrace Hospice Care. She passed away that night with family at her side. With a rose in her hands, and a teddy bear under her arm, she was accompanied by her family and the sound of Johnny Nash singing “I Can See Clearly Now” back through the doors she had recently entered.

She can see clearly now the pain is gone, indeed.

Joyce is survived by children: Elizabeth (James) Thomas, Jay (Dana) Russell, Sharon (Allan) Bricker; and son-in-law, Ben Schwenn; 10 grandchildren: Mike (Maria), Steph (Tina), Charley (Hayley), John and Veronica Thomas; Nicole (Jeremy Krueger) Russell; Amelie and Marielle Bricker; Derrick and Brandon (Lindsey) Schwenn; and eight great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by husband, Hugh; daughter, Sue Schwenn; her parents; and sister, Donna (John) Salmela.

A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, at 12 noon on Friday, May 5, 2023. Visitation will take place at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will take place at Sunset Memory Gardens at 3 p.m.

Special thanks to the Meriter Hospital and Agrace Hospice Care staffs for their amazing care for Mom.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to:

American Family Children’s Hospital (https://give.wiscmedicine.org/give/393214/#!/donation/checkout)

Make-A-Wish Wisconsin (https://secure2.wish.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=donate_today&chid=029-000)  

Remember, it’s about the children.

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

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761