Joyce A. Ballard

Joyce A. Ballard (nee: Joyce (Reiner) Elias), 80, passed away December 28, 2025, surrounded by loving family. Until her swift decline from pneumonia, Joyce was an energetic, vibrant, life-loving person who brought joy to those whose lives she touched.

Joyce was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin July 22, 1945 to Rosemarie (Weber) Elias and Elmer F. Elias. In 1961 the family moved to New Berlin, where Joyce completed high school. She earned a BA from UW-Milwaukee, majoring in English and minoring in music. After getting her teaching certificate she began teaching high school English in the greater Milwaukee area.

Joyce and Gerhard Reiner married shortly after college graduation in 1968, started their family in Muskego, WI, and then moved to San Antonio, TX, in 1986. While in Texas she taught 5th grade and earned a Master’s degree in education administration. Joyce and Gary divorced in 1992 and she moved back to Wisconsin where she bought her dream home in New Berlin. She taught 5th grade until she retired.

Joyce married Richard Ballard in 2007 after they reconnected at their 40th high school reunion. The two of them shared a love for nature and enjoyed watching the wildlife in their yard. They had many fine times together until Richard’s untimely passing in 2021.

Music was always an important part of Joyce’s life. She had perfect pitch — which was a blessing and a curse. She could identify the notes and key of anything she heard, but when a voice or instrument was out of tune it hurt her ears! Joyce played flute in the high school band and piccolo in the Milwaukee Pops Orchestra; she led the high school band as drum majorette and baton twirler; and throughout her life she was an accomplished pianist. She taught private piano lessons for many years, and after her children were in school, Joyce secured a part-time music teacher position. She played organ in church since the age of 15 and led multiple music ministries throughout her life. In recent years Joyce led her church’s handbell choir, often rewriting the score for those who did not read music.

Joyce’s faith was also a defining aspect of her life. She was an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion for much of her adult life, a role in the Catholic Mass that was very important to her. In recent years she visited with and delivered communion to the homebound. Caregiving was one of Joyce’s superpowers. Throughout her life she cared for family and friends. She had particular compassion for the elderly, for whom she held a special place in her heart. She held a part-time job as a bank teller at the branch located inside Tudor Oaks, a Muskego senior living community.

Family was of profound importance to Joyce. She had a keen interest in the family tree and was unofficial keeper of many family memories. Among the many family activities Joyce enjoyed were square dancing with her parents, picking apples with her sisters, and any and all family events. She was her children’s biggest cheerleader and was absolutely thrilled to be a grandmother.

Joyce was a very social person. She had many friends with whom she met regularly for lunch, concerts, and other outings. She was excellent at keeping in touch with new and old friends alike. Jazzercise was an almost daily activity for her and she was thought to be the “Energizer Bunny” by many. She loved puzzles and games and was a fierce competitor. As a fan of the Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers, she enjoyed watching or listening to games. In addition to enjoying her social activities, Joyce loved her home and yard, spending many hours watching nature and tending her flower beds.

Joyce is survived by her son, David Reiner; daughter, Kristi Reiner; first husband, Gerhard Reiner; grandchildren, Marian, Jamie, and Genevieve; sisters Jeanne (Donald) Osgood and Joan Elias; many nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and nephews; and close friends, Jim Herro, Hope Hegmen, and Henry Hegmen. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother (John Elias), husband (Richard Ballard), and niece (Denise Marcz).

Joyce’s Memorial Service and Mass will be held at Mother of Perpetual Help Parish, 1212 South 117^th Street, West Allis, Wisconsin on Saturday, January 31, 2026 with Visitation from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM and a Memorial Mass to begin at 11:00 AM. Burial will take place at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Alzheimer’s Association or Relevant Radio (1-877-291-0123).