Joyce Leora Gerow

Joyce Leora Gerow, age 89, slipped peacefully into eternity the afternoon of June 25, 2024, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on June 8, 1935, to Adrian and Leora (Nass) Meidam in Appleton. She spent the majority of her formative years in Appleton, attending Appleton High School and graduated from St John’s High School in Little Chute. On a chance meeting at Whitey’s Bar in Kimberly, Joyce met Marine Raymond “Tuggy” Gerow, and it was love at first sight. The two married September 4, 1954 and they proceeded to have two daughters and two sons whom they raised in Kaukauna.

Joyce enjoyed music and was passionate about dancing. She taught ballroom dancing at TC Dance Club in Appleton. She also enjoyed playing violin and singing. She was an honors violinist in the Appleton Honors Orchestra which consisted of the top musicians in the Appleton City Schools. The arts were always a part of her life, and she won an “A” rating for a speech she wrote in high school. 

Family was a driving force for Joyce, and she loved her time with her family at the family cabin in Mountain, WI. She loved spending time on the pontoon boat and evenings spent at the campfire. When grandchildren arrived for her children, she enjoyed spending time with them at family gatherings.

Joyce had many occupations during her life. She worked at a Curves Gym, and taught ballroom dance at TC Dance Club, but was most notably aligned with Joyce & Tuggy’s Bar in Kaukauna-the bar she owned with her husband for 20 years.

Joyce is lovingly survived by her children: Cherie (Collin) Plaster, Rock (friend Vicky) Gerow, Kim (Bill) Volkman, and Mark Gerow; 13 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; her brother Ron (Helen) Meidam. She is further survived by her brother-in-law Paul Lamers Tuggy’s siblings: Francis Gerow, Keith (Cathy) Gerow, Dallas (Maurice); she is also survived by other relatives and friends. Joyce was preceded in death by the love of her life Tuggy, her parents, siblings: Marlene (Leo) Driessen, Jean Lamers, Nancy (Daniel) Lappen, and Rod Meidam; Tuggy’s parents Howard and Mildred Gerow; Tuggy’s siblings: Curtis (Sandra) Gerow, Mavis (Bill) Lenhart, and Phyllis and Marylou Gerow; sister-in-law Joan Gerow as well as other relatives and friends.

A funeral service for Joyce will take place on Tuesday July 2, 2024, at 1:00pm at Wichmann Funeral Home, Fargo Chapel, 400 Wisconsin, Kaukauna. Friends and family may gather at the funeral home from 11:00am until the service begins. Joyce will be laid to rest at Union Cemetery at a future date.

Joyce's family would like to extend gratitude to Bri and the staff at Heartwood Homes for their great care of Joyce these past years, and for treating her like family.  In addition, thank you to Dr. Williams and Rita and the St. Croix Hospice caregivers, Pam and Christie,  for your compassionate care of our mother. And, we are so appreciative of Jeff and Marybeth for being the best neighbors to Mom.