Joyce Esther Kolb was known by many names. She was Joyce, Joycee, Mom, the bestest grandma in the whole wide world, Granny Lady, Big G Jr. and Goddammit Joyce, but most of all she was known as being very kind, loving and selfless. She brought out the best in everyone she met. The world lost an angel when she died of complications of Alzheimer's on September 1, at age 98.

Joyce was born in Green Bay on June 8, 1924, to Edward and Alletta (Didrickson) Hansen. She was a beautiful girl who loved helping her grandmother Caroline, Mumma Gram, care for her chickens and bring the eggs to market. In 1940 she was recognized as Wisconsin's Alice in Dairyland.

In 1947 Joyce fell in love with the charming Ernest Kolb and they were married on April 26. In 1950 they built a home along the Fox River south of De Pere and looked forward to raising a family. After nine fruitless years they were ecstatic to find they were about to become parents. In February 1957 they were graced with daughter Carrie Ann, and 3 years later son William Edward.

Joyce treasured her children and loved to spend lots of quality time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was known to always have her cookie jar full of molasses or gingersnap cookies. She liked to travel, especially trips to the island of Væroy, Norway, the ancestral home of the Didricksons'. She also loved to travel to Washington and Arizona to see her most favorite munchkins in the world.

Joyce liked to spend time outdoors and loved to plant and grow many types of flowers around her house. She had a wooden swing that she moved with her to Ashwaubenon, where she lived for about 10 years before taking up residency at Tender Hearts Assisted Living. She loved to swing on that glider with grandchildren and great grandchildren while watching bonfires in her back yard.

Joyce loved playing cards and was known to be quite a Cribbage shark. She continued to play throughout her life and enjoyed frequent visits by our family's angel, Verne Lindsley, who kept up her skills during her long battle with Alzheimer's

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Kolb, her parents Ed and Alletta Hansen, her beloved brother Robert (Bob), his wife Anne (Weir), her cherished grandson Matthew (Matt) Arnold and revered granddaughter Stephanie (Steph) Arnold. She was also preceded in death by a very special Aunt, Janet (Didrickson) Reimer of Elliott, ME, who was really more like her sister.

Joyce is survived by her daughter Carrie and her husband Robert (Bob) Arnold of Ashwaubenon, their son Christian (Chris) of Seattle, WA, his son Kelby, and their daughter Jennifer (Jen) Arnold also of Seattle. She is also survived by her son William of Mesa, AZ and his wife Mary (Stoffregen) Kolb, their son Michael (Mike) Kolb of Scottsdale, AZ, his wife Christi Lester and their daughter Charlotte, daughter Kimberly (Kim) of Santan Valley, AZ, her husband Brandon Hubbard, and their children Adelyn and Matthew, and daughter Katherine (Kate) of Gilbert, AZ and her son Nathaniel (Nathan).

Visitation will be held at Ryan's Funeral Home, 305 N. Tenth Street, in De Pere, from 10 to 11 am on Friday, September 16. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will follow at 11 am. Friends and family are welcome to join us for lunch after the service at the Rite Place in Bellevue.

The family wishes to thank the loving staff of Tender Hearts Assisted Living, especially Kyla and are grateful for the care provided by Unity Hospice, especially Tara and Lori.