Joyce C. Bush

Joyce Freberg Bush of Green Bay passed away on Thursday, November 19, 2015 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. She was born in Ironwood, Michigan on June 13, 1926. Joyce was the daughter of the late “Harry” and Jean Freberg.

Joyce was raised in the upper peninsula of Michigan, graduated from Bessemer High School and went on to a career at Employer’s Mutual Insurance in Wausau, WI.

Raised in a small mining town in Upper Michigan, she lived with extended family on a farm through the depression. She went on to pursue her goal to become an executive secretary and then a personnel manager for Employer’s Mutual. In the summer of 1951, she traveled alone to Copenhagen, Denmark to visit relatives and work with the World Health Organization.

Joyce married Richard M. Bush in Ironwood, MI on July 14, 1956. The couple has resided in Green Bay since that date. Her husband and her family were her greatest passions. Joyce shared his love of sailing and skiing.

While being a dedicated wife and mother, she supported our community as well. She served on the zoning and planning committee for the Village of Allouez, served with Service League of Green Bay, was president of her P.E.O. Chapter N, made meals for youth group dinners and was a deaconess at Union Congregational Church. She delivered Meals on Wheels, served on the board of directors for the YWCA and taught reading with the Literacy Council.

She pursued continuing education, learning to swim as an adult. She took writing classes culminating in an article which was published a regional boating magazine. Being a voracious reader, she was never without a good book.

She is survived by her husband, Richard; daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Ben Miller of Green Bay, two sons and daughters-in-law, William and Nancy Bush of Neenah, and Daniel and Amy Bush of Orinda, California; grandchildren Elizabeth Miller Raljevic, William Miller, Jordan Bush, Alex Bush, Michael Bush, Madeline Bush (Orinda, CA); great grandchildren, Sofia Raljevic and Amelia Raljevic; and one sister, Carol and Dr. Lloyd Allen of Manitowoc. She was dearly loved by her dog Jackie.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 21, at Union Congregational Church, 716 South Madison Street, at 10:00 am with a memorial service to follow at 11:30 am at the church.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, contributions may be made to Unity Hospice or the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Wisconsin Chapter, 2900 Curry Lane, Suite A, Green Bay, WI 54311.

The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the loving care provided by Dr. Daniel Koster, caregivers Jane, Kathy, Karen and Margaret, and Unity Hospice.