Joyce A. Gass

Joyce A. Gass, 94, of Sheboygan, passed away peacefully, and was called home to heaven on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at Sheboygan Senior Community where she had been residing. She was born on April 27, 1932 in Milwaukee to the late Lester and Dorthy (Marsielje) Lorenz. Joyce attended Milwaukee area schools and graduated from Rufus King High School in Milwaukee in 1950. She continued her education to become a registered nurse and graduated from Milwaukee Hospital in 1953. Joyce was united in marriage on October 15, 1955, to Howard I. Gass, MD in Milwaukee. They were married for 57 years before Howard preceded her in death in 2012.

Joyce was proud of her accomplishments as a nurse and mother. She spent her career as an Ob/Gyn nurse at Milwaukee Hospital and later as Ob/Gyn nurse in her husband’s medical practice, retiring in 1958 after their first child was born. In 1964, the family moved to Racine area where her husband moved his medical practice. Her three children were her greatest pride and joy. She relished all the family celebrations throughout the years. At Christmas time she was known for the over thirty kinds of Christmas cookies she would bake every year. She loved gardening and had a large floral garden every summer. Joyce’s favorite vacations were her trips to Ephraim in Door County with her parents every summer to fish, and a 7-day cruise down the Mississippi River on the famous Mississippi Queen paddle wheel steamboat with her husband.

Joyce will be remembered as a truly kind and gentle old soul. She always put others before herself and was always willing to help others. She encouraged her children throughout life in their endeavors quoting frequently, “whatever you choose to do, do it to the best of your ability, and do it honestly.”

Joyce is survived by her three children, Sally (Peter) Mayer of Sheboygan, Nancy Dreckschmidt of Sheboygan, and Peter Gass of Racine. Joyce is further survived by her sister-in-law Karen Conlin, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. Besides her parents and husband Howard, Joyce was preceded in death by her son Thomas Gass, brother Frederick Lorenz, and her daughter-in-law, Dana Gass.

The family would like to thank the staff at Sheboygan Senior Community for all their care and support over the past years.

There will be a private burial at Wisconsin Memorial Park in Brookfield for immediate family. A celebration of Joyce’s life will take place in April 2027 in Sheboygan for extended family and friends. The family will share more details about the celebration in the coming months, with formal invitations to follow.