Joyce Von Rueden

Dodgeville - Joyce Elaine Von Rueden, age 72, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Monday, October 25, 2021, at her home in Dodgeville. After a courageous journey with cancer, she spent the last week of her life sharing memories, laughter, and goodbyes with her family and loved ones. As she often said, “Cancer sucks.” And it does. But Joyce was never a victim to cancer. Though this path was not of her choosing, she accepted it as hers nonetheless, and she remained full of life, love, and immense generosity to the very end. Joyce, a native of Darlington, was born in 1949 to John Emil and Margaret Ethel (Doyle) Clark. If Joyce had a hero(ine) in life, it was her mother, a truly special lady. She was the youngest of four girls, also known fondly as the “Cluck” sisters, and she was also blessed in life to have a wonderful stepfather, Matthew Schultz (“Grandpa Matt”). Joyce met her husband Kenneth Von Rueden at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where they were both first-generation college students, and they married at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Darlington in 1974. Joyce and Ken built a rich and full life together in southwestern Wisconsin, first in Mineral Point and then in Dodgeville. She was blessed by so many wonderful friends, both from this corner of the world and far beyond. As evidence of her endless patience, Joyce spent her entire career as a kindergarten teacher. She spent most of her career with the Dodgeville School District, including both the Ridgeway School and Dodgeville Elementary School. Joyce considered it one of her greatest privileges to play a small role in the lives of the children she taught over three decades; her students and her many wonderful teaching colleagues brought her a great deal of joy. After retiring in 2006, Joyce dedicated much of her time to volunteer work, spending time with good friends, and traveling to see her children. Joyce’s family, as she frequently told them, were her greatest blessings. She is survived by her husband Ken and her children Sarah (husband Shannon) and Scott, as well as her beloved “grandpuppies” Maddie and Otis; sisters Barb (Bernard) Saunders, Millie (Dennis) Murphy, and Meg Clark (Paul) Krajewski; brothers-in-law Don (Donna) Von Rueden, Jim (Bonnie) Von Rueden, Ken (Judy) Boll, and Larry as well as sister-in-law Mary (Larry) Held; numerous dearly loved nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, her father- and mother-in-law Raymond and Eileen (Stapleton) Von Rueden, her brother-in-law Bill Von Rueden, her sister-in-law Cheryl Von Rueden, and her niece Crystal Von Rueden. Joyce and her family would like to express their eternal gratitude to the amazing physicians, nurses, and staff at the Carbone Cancer Center, particularly Dr. Mark Albertini, along with Dr. Jodi McGraw at Upland Hills Health and the truly inspiring team at Upland Hills Hospice. We would also like the thank all the “GodStrong Warriors” for their prayers, love, and support. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH in Dodgeville. Burial will be held in East Side Cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday at the GORGEN-McGINLEY & AYERS FUNERAL HOME in Dodgeville and from 10:00 a.m. until time of services on Saturday at the church. The funeral service will be Livestreamed through the Grace Lutheran Church Facebook page (link below) https://www.facebook.com/glcdvgig/ With COVID 19 concerns in mind, friends and family attending are required to wear face masks and apply social distancing as a safety precaution. In lieu of flowers, Joyce asked that donations be made in her name to the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center.

Joyce Von Rueden

February 5, 1949 - October 25, 2021