Joyce J. Erickson

Erickson, Joyce J. (aka Szweda)

Born into Eternal Life on October 26, 2026.  Beloved wife of Bruce for 12 years.  Preceded in death by Paul Szweda, devoted husband of 45 years.  Loving mother of Kristi (Eric) Reichman, Todd Szweda, Jennifer (Ed Morowski) Szweda, and Shannon Manske.  Adored grandmother of Erin (Christopher), Jesse, Brennon (Erica), and Braedyn (MacKenzie).  Dear great-grandmother of Voilet, Iola, and Baby Z – arriving soon.  Also survived by extended family David (Laura) Erickson and Julie (Tim) Nolan.  Extended grandmother to Emily, Ryan (Abigail), Carlin, and Josephine.  Also survived by many nieces, nephews, family members, and friends.

Joyce may have had the appearance of an unassuming, diminutive wife and mother of four but she was secretly an expert across many fields.  An expert baker, she perfected what was only known as “THE birthday cake” always in demand over six decades of birthday celebrations.  An expert in furniture restoration, there wasn’t a chair she couldn’t stain or cane.  An expert in attendance, unless ill or out of town she had a perfect attendance record at family-related school activities.  An expert in gift giving, she would retain the smallest of details divulged in conversation, turning it into a sentimental gift when required.  However, being an expert across many fields was not enough, she had to expand her horizons…travel!

Joyce needed to see the world – global travel was a necessity and a new destination always in the works.  She travelled to continental Europe, Asia, and Australia, multiple times over, never having a shortage of interesting places to visit.  When not navigating the globe, she spent many summer days with Bruce at her cabin in central Wisconsin dining on fish fries, pizza, and perhaps a glass of three-olive wine or two to wash it down.  In the winter, this process was repeated, only by snowbirding in Arizona.  Yet, this was not enough to fill her time…perhaps sports?

Joyce was an avid Wisconsin Badger Football fan, though the origin of this fandom is unknown as she nor any immediate family member had ever attended UW-Madison.  Still, this affection for the Badgers and attendance of games spanned decades including Rose Bowl victories in the 90’s (more travel required) to home games in Madison this season.  This still, however, was not enough to satisfy such a curious person…

Perhaps influenced by one too many mystery novels, Joyce embarked on a different type of journey where no travel was required, accompanied by a personal friend known only as Ancestry.  Through vigorous examination and inquiry lasting years (or so it seemed) she discovered an extended family, with whom she reached out and maintained contact with over the last several years.  It was quite the impressive feat, or she would at least try to convince you that it was.  Oh yeah, the aforementioned mystery novels…cannot forget reading, which filled in the remaining gaps.

Joyce read and read and read.  To say Joyce was a voracious reader would be an understatement – a book was always in hand or proximity.  Her passion for reading was with her since the beginning.  She would read books, magazines, obituaries, or whatever, regardless of the genre.  Her appetite for the written word was infectious as she had the ability to convert others into lifetime readers – a rare super power in today’s age.

But seriously, Joyce was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sibling, and friend.  Those who met her rarely forgot her.  Though small in stature, her resiliency was enormous, and she challenged whatever life threw at her up until the very end.  Joyce will undoubtedly be missed.

Visitation from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, followed by Mass at 11:00 AM on Thursday, November 12, 2026 at Holy Apostles Catholic Church, 16000 West National Avenue, New Berlin, Wisconsin 53151.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice in Joyce’s name.

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