Joan F. Deyo

Joan F. Deyo (Svec), 92, of La Crosse, passed away Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse. Joan was born January 25, 1934 to Frank and Regina (Taylor) Svec of La Crosse, WI.

Joan attended Aquinas High School and graduated in the Class of 1952. She went on to further her education at St. Agnas School of Nursing, Fond du Lac, WI, graduating in 1955. She achieved her RN license.

She came back home to La Crosse to serve her community by starting her career at Grandview Hospital. Joan worked as a pre-op nurse and a recovery room nurse until she retired as a nurse in 1961. During that time, she met the love of her life, Marlin Deyo, of La Crosse, which they shared 52 years of marriage.

She chose her wedding day, May 14, 1960. Joan and Marlin were married at St. Wenceslaus Church in La Crosse and she started her new life as a wife and a nurse. Joan and Marlin bought a house in La Crosse and were members of St. Thomas More Church in La Crosse. Joan was a member there for 66 years. In 1961, she was blessed with her new career of motherhood. She chose to be a homemaker and raise her 5 children with love and patience.

Joan loved to sew. She made clothes for herself and then for her children and grandchildren. She also made some quilts, knitted, and crocheted. Joan also enjoyed baking for her family, friends, and community. She baked for school bake sales and St. Thomas More at the Holiday Fair for over 40 years. She was known for her rye bread. She later baked it for Mary, Mother of the Church Cookie Walk. She gave her bread to neighbors and baked cookies for their children. 

One of Joan’s favorite activities was singing in the church’s funeral and Sunday choirs. She was a Girl Scout Leader for her daughter’s troops and volunteered at Hillview Nursing Home for many years. Joan also had a calling to pray with the Sisters at St. Rose Convent (La Crosse). She went to the convent every week for over 10 years and prayed selflessly for her family and others who needed prayers her whole life.

She is survived by her son, Richard (Annette) of Winona, MN; four daughters, Jane (Roger) Russell of Scottsdale, AZ, Susan (Mark) Molstad of Onalaska, Catherine (Dean) Taylor of La Crosse, and Barbara (Alvin) May of Marshfield, WI; 13 grandchildren, Anna Deyo of Hagerstown, MD, Lucy and Libby Deyo of Winona, MN, Regina (Collin) Peterson of Plano, TX, Jessica (Josh) Heinold of Peoria, AZ, Michael (Anna) Taylor of La Crosse, Jacob (Gebernelyn) Taylor of La Crosse, Zachary (Kelsey) Taylor of Chippewa Falls, WI, Brittney Taylor of La Crosse, Melissa May of Tuscon, AZ, Sydney May of Lancaster, Matthew May of Fremont, WI, and Louisa (Carver) Empey of Tomah, WI. She is also survived by great-grandchildren, Alivia Deyo of Hagerstown, MD, Emma and William Peterson of Plano, TX, Annie and Elise Taylor of Eagan, MN, Sophie, Samantha, and Noah Heinold of Peoria, AZ; one brother, Thomas (Pat) Svec of La Crosse; sister-in-law, Carol Dennison of La Crosse; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Joan in death was her husband, Marlin Deyo of La Crosse; her parents Frank and Regina (Taylor) Svec of La Crosse; grandchild, Baby Taylor of Platteville; great-great-granddaughter Madeline Empey of Tomah, WI.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 from 4:00-7:00pm at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, 200 West Avenue South, La Crosse, WI. A rosary service will be held at 6:30pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 10:00am at Mary, Mother of the Church, 2006 Weston Street, La Crosse, WI. Visitation will be held one hour prior to Mass. Burial will take place at Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Rose Convent, 912 Market St, La Crosse, WI or to Mary, Mother of the Church, 2006 Weston Street, La Crosse, WI.