She was a summer vacationer who met the local athlete while he was waterskiing on Townline Lake in Three Lakes, Wisconsin. She was born in Chicago to Carl and Vivian Muller, and she was a summer vacationer. In the course of their summer romance, which eventually blossomed into a marriage that lasted for 57 years… Following eleven years, six alma mater, and the birth of four children, she was able to acquire her degree in English and subsequently she obtained her master’s degree in addition to 53 credits.
She was a devoted educator who corrected thousands of term papers by hand over the course of her career. She always used green ink, rather than red, so as not to undermine the self-assurance and enthusiasm of her young students during the writing process. As a result of her and Bob’s passion for teaching in multiple Wisconsin school districts, they were able to instill a sense of pride in their four children: Maria, who was a constant, Kathy, who was a giver, Mike, who was a rock, and Dan, who was “the little one.
Three Lakes is where Joey and Bob decided to retire. She found herself busier and happier than she had ever been before because she had so many options: writing poems and stories that were profound and often humorous, such as “My House Is a Glorified Hunting Shack,” reading her favorite authors, including Willa Cather, John Irving, and John Steinbeck, going for walks with her most treasured friends, and playing the role of Ms. Almira Gulch in “The Wizard of Oz.” The time that Joey spent with the outstanding individuals who were members of the Trainwreck Writers, the Three Lakes Center of the Arts, and the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets was something that he would never forget.
Germany, Africa, Quebec, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Boston, New York, and El Paso were some of the places she enjoyed seeing during her travels. In spite of the challenges she faced along the way, she persevered and pursued all of this endeavor with a great deal of enthusiasm. As someone who lives by the motto “Never give up,” Joey leaves behind a legacy that is characterized by resiliency and positivity. She was a genuine people person, and she considered each and every person she met to be significant. By taking a real interest in people and the stories they shared, she demonstrated the value that they possessed.
The capacity to recall people’s names, to freely deliver praises, and to make everyone feel special with her glittering eyes and everlasting grin were all things that Joey had exceptionally well. Those who are left behind to grieve her loss include her husband Bob, her children Maria Kevin Deates, Kathy Ryan Marx, Mike Wojtusik, and Dan Jill Wojtusik; her grandchildren Michelle, Matt, Chad, Emily, Joe, Harlan, Bobby, Todd, and Julie; her great-grandchildren Allysa, Dameon, Alliya, David, Jordan, and Jayce; her sister Mary Kay Steve Mendygral; her sister-in-law Sherry Doug Coerper; and a large number of other relatives and friends.
As an alternative to sending flowers, memorial contributions can be given in Joey’s honor to the Three Lakes Public Library system. On Saturday, August 17, 2019, at eleven o’clock in the morning, a funeral liturgy will be celebrated at St. Theresa Church, which is located at 1701 Superior Street in Three Lakes, Wisconsin. At 9:30 in the morning, the visitation will begin, and the burial will take place immediately after the service.
