Joyce M. Drier

Joyce Mae Drier (Selig), age 93, of Appleton, passed away peacefully on New Year’s Day, Thursday, January 1, 2026, with her devoted family by her side.

Joyce was born in Appleton, WI on June 1, 1932, the daughter of the late Lawrence Selig, Sr. and Agnes (Koslowski) Selig. On April 16, 1955, she married Frank Drier, Jr. at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church. Together they had six children.

She was proud of her family, and she loved telling people how lucky she felt to have everyone living close by. It meant everything to her!

Joyce had a huge heart and loved caring for children. For many years she ran her own in-home daycare. She later worked at Mid America Tag and Label until retirement. After retiring, her love of children continued as she spent time caring for her grandchildren and being a steady presence in their lives.

Summers with Grandma were full of traditions the grandkids will never forget, especially the weekly rummage sale trips. She loved hunting for bargains and always seemed to find something worth bringing home. Joyce loved a good bargain, and it was rare to leave empty-handed. That same love of a deal followed her Up North, too, where she never passed up a stop at a t-shirt shop. She collected sweatshirts from there over the years, and we truly have lost count of how many she had! Another love of Joyce’s was her passionate love of sweet treats, particularly ice cream that she said always filled in the cracks.

Joyce enjoyed traveling with family, including multiple trips to Southern California, Florida, Texas and Myrtle Beach, SC, all places she loved. Another special trip was traveling to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City with a friend from work. Her favorite tradition, though, was the annual Up North vacation with her entire family, including all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren, a trip she looked forward to each year for the past 34 years.

Joyce loved embroidery and sewing, and she continued her mom’s tradition of making pillowcases for miniature pillows, a small piece of her that still lives on in so many homes throughout the family. Saturday nights were often spent with the family at Joyce’s house, where Everybody Loves Raymond was always on in the background when you came over. During the day, she never missed her favorite soap opera, Days of Our Lives.

A loyal Green Bay Packers fan, Joyce especially loved Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. For the longest time, chances were she was bundled up in her beloved Brett Favre blanket!

Joyce is survived by her four children, Steve (Kathy) Drier, Susan Petit, Tom (Sallie) Drier, and Lori (Tom) Kriplean; ten grandchildren, Jill Drier, Stephanie Drier, Ali Drier, Melissa Drier (fiancé Austin Morris), Cameron Drier, Katie (Josh) Kilsdonk, Nick (Margaret) Kriplean, Andrew Petit, Jacob Kriplean and Jenna Kriplean; and two great-grandchildren, Molly Schumacher and Nolan Drier.

Joyce is also survived by her sister-in-law, Margie Hinchley; along with many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, special neighbors, and friends.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Drier, Jr.; sons, Ricky Drier and Scott Drier; son-in-law, Noel Petit; grandchild, Christopher Kriplean; parents; brother, Larry (Marguerite) Selig; sister, Judy (Phil) Bixby; brothers-in-law, Maurice (Marion) Drier, Milton (Helen) Drier, Merle Hinchley; sisters-in-law, Marilyn (Clayton) Kreutzman, Mildred (Bob) School, Maureen (Bob) Blank, Muriel (Jimmy) Bayer; along with many loved nieces, nephews, and other family members.

A funeral service will be held for Joyce on Thursday, January 8 at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 930 E. Florida Ave, Appleton, WI. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. and continue until the time of the service. Joyce will be laid to rest with her husband at Highland Memorial Park in Appleton, WI. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established.

Joyce’s family would like to thank Silverstone Memory Care on Packard, along with Moments Hospice and all staff and caregivers, for the compassionate care and comfort they provided to Joyce.