Joyce Ann Thornton of Prairie du Chien Wisconsin passed away Thursday June 19, 2025 at Boscobel Hospital in Boscobel Wisconsin after a courageous battle with cancer.
Joyce was born on March 12, 1955 in McGregor Iowa to Raymond and Irene (Horstman) Shulka. Joyce spent her young life in Guttenberg Iowa and Prairie du Chien Wisconsin where she attended school.
Joyce was united in marriage to Walter (Steve) Thornton on November 25, 1972 at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Prairie du Chien Wisconsin. Joyce and Steve lived in Ft. Worth Texas and Aurora Illinois before making their home in Prairie du Chien Wisconsin. Joyce and Steve were blessed with a son Chuck Thornton.
Joyce loved helping people and showed that caring spirit through her work as a CNA and volunteer work at Couleecap Inc. First and foremost, Joyce was a wife and mother, dedicating her time to ensuring her husband and son always knew how deeply they were loved.
Joyce had what most people refer to as a heart of gold. She never worried about material things in her life because she knew that the real treasure in life is not in material things. Joyce was full of love and showed that love in caring for family and friends.
Joyce and Steve’s home was a place with an open door, friendly smiles and warm hugs. Joyce loved children and enjoyed her time with her nieces and nephews as well as her siblings. Christmas was her favorite time of year, hand picking every gift and making sure she had something for all her family members.
Joyce was preceded in death by her husband Walter (Steve)Thornton, son Chuck Thornton, parents Raymond and Irene (Horstman) Shulka, brothers Raymond, Richard, Donnie, James, and Robert Shulka and sister Penny Shulka, sisters-in-law Florence Baulman, Betty Shulz, Judy Thornton, Linda Matthews, brothers-in-laws David and Rueben Thornton.
Joyce is survived by her sister Ritamae (Gary) Fuller and brother Jeff Welch, Aunt Verda (Robert) Faust, special niece Melissa Jobe, special honorary grandchildren Arieanna Jobe and Elijah Klock, sisters-in laws Dottie and Barb Shulka, Cindy Washburn and Linda Johnston, Dorthy (Gary) Drury, Bonnie Stokes, Helen Thornton, brother-in-law Ronnie (Bea) Thornton, nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
A Visitation will be held on Friday June 27, 2025 at Thornburg Grau Funeral Home, 118 N Wacouta Avenue, Prairie du Chien Wisconsin from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, Service at 11:00 and burial following at Evergreen Cemetery.
A luncheon will be held after the funeral at St. Peters Lutheran Church, 201 S. Michigan St. Prairie du Chien Wisconsin.
Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin is assisting the family with services