Joyce Elaine Witt

Joyce E. Witt, age 90, peacefully passed on into heaven, on Wednesday May 20, 2026 at St. Anne’s Extended Healthcare in Winona, MN. She was born in La Crosse, WI., on March 25, 1936 to Alvin R. and Luella C. (nee Mades) Bartsch. Joyce was raised on the family farm on South Ridge. She attended Ireland school of South Ridge through 8th grade and graduated from Winona Senior High in 1955.

On September 15, 1956, Joyce married the love of her life Daryl “Cottie” Witt at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Nodine, MN where they remained members their entire lives.

Joyce started working right after High School and continued working for the next 50 plus years finishing at the age of 72 at Insulation Plus in Lacrosse Wisconsin. Her family can’t ever remember a time when she was not working. Even with such a busy schedule, she found time for church activities, community involvement in Dakota Minnesota, the La Crescent Applefest Board and CORE, as well as the Women in Business Group. Joyce was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother who always found time for the “kids”. She was always cooking a meal, baking something, running a kid or two to a ball game or to school. Joyce enjoyed working in her flower gardens, sewing, painting ceramics or concrete benches. Her sewing and painting hobbies were a way for her to spoil her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids with gifts. Christmas was a special time for Joyce, and she loved to decorate the house and spoil her family with thoughtful Christmas presents and stockings brimming with treasures! The Christmas Eve gathering always included her famous oyster stew and more than enough of the “usual” Christmas treats, which always a most memorable feast!

Joyce leaves behind her family which were to her “treasured accomplishments”. She was very proud of their careers and families. Joyce is survived by her children, Christine (Larry) Stoltman, Timothy “Tim” (Tara) Witt, Daniel “Dan” (Cinda) Witt, Mark Witt, Sarah (David) Vanderzee and Douglas “Doug” (Brenda) Jannsen. 15 Grandchildren and 12 Great Grandchildren whom she loved and showered with hugs and kisses when she was with them! Brothers Kenneth “Kenny” (Bonnie) Bartsch, Gary (Evelyn “Evie”) Bartsch and many nieces and nephews.

Joyce was preceded in death by the love of her life “Cottie” (Daryl) 0n April 10, 2010, her mother Luella (Bartsch) Frappier, her father Alvin R Bartsch October 7, 1942, stepfather Roland Frappier, sister Lora “Mitzi” Bartsch, half-sister Mary Lou (nee Frappier) Spatz, daughter in law Jodi Witt, granddaughter Amanda Witt Letzkus, and 2 nephews.

A very special heartfelt THANK YOU to the dedicated, caring staff of St. Anne Extended Healthcare of Winona where they provided wonderful care to Mom for the last 5 years of her life.

Visitation will be held at Schumacher-Kish, 111 So. Oak St La Crescent, MN. Address May 26, 2026 from 4pm until 7pm. Services will be held at 11 a.m. May 27,2026 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Nodine, MN with visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of service. A meal will be served after the service in the school’s all-purpose room. Burial will be at a later date.

Pallbearers will be her Great Grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request memorials be given in memory of Joyce Witt to: St. John’s Lutheran School, 42685 Co. Rd. 12, Dakota, MN. 55925, Hope Lutheran High School, 312 East Broadway, Winona, MN. 55987 Or St. Anne Extended Healthcare, 1347 West Broadway, Winona, MN. 55987.