Joyce Mary Stay, age 86, of Blair, went to be with the Lord on her 67 ^th wedding anniversary on Wednesday, January 9, 2019.

Joyce was born at home on April 21, 1932 in Taylor to Elwood and Marcella Relyea.  It was always a pleasure to hear the colorful stories of her years on the family strawberry farm with her sister, four brothers and eight cousins.  Those years were filled with joy, laughter and hard work. Joyce married Kenneth Stay in Preston, MN in 1952. She spent the rest of her days, many of them in Vosse Coulee, by his side as a farm wife and companion, including milking cows and driving tractor.  She far surpassed her goal of being married to Ken for 50 years.

Joyce attended nurses training in Eau Claire and helped many patients while working at the clinic in Blair.  She served on the Blair school board and was active in the Trempealeau Valley Lutheran Church throughout her life.  She was a wonderful cook, loving mother and fun grandmother. She was a creative artist and floral designer. Joyce was known and beloved by so many in the community.  In her later years, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were an enormous source of delight. She lived a life of kindness, loving unconditionally and thinking of others before herself.

Joyce is survived by her loving husband, Kenneth; her children, Barbara (Mark) Nestingen, Cheryl (Jerry) Dougherty, Kim Stephenson and Kevin (Beth) Stay; nine grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, two brothers, Stanley (Rosalie) and David (Maureen) Relyea and a sister, Sue (Will) Gilford.

In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by two brothers, George (Dottie) and Boyd (Jean) Relyea.

The family is grateful to the medical and hospice teams at Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Healthcare in La Crosse for their exceptional care and support.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in the Trempealeau Valley Lutheran Church with burial in the church cemetery, both in rural Taylor.  Pastor Jeff Forbes will officiate.

Visitation will be Friday, January 11, 2019 from 5-7 p.m. in the Jack Funeral Home in Blair and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.