Joyce Lillian Griepentrog Obituary
With a heavy heart we announce the passing of Joyce Lillian (nee Julien) Griepentrog. Joyce was the only child of Cyrus and Lillian Julien. Born June 26, 1931 in Milwaukee, WI and was received by her Lord's Savior on Friday, November 28, 2025 surrounded by loved ones. She was 94 years old. Joyce graduated from Marquette College. She met and married Jim Moynihan and started her large family of 5 children; which was everything that she always wanted. She dedicated her life to family and friends and her church volunteer work.
Joyce was resourceful, with little money, taught herself how to cook within a budget, sewed many of our clothes and loved entertaining. She loved her neighbors and was a devout Catholic. She was very charitable and selfless- always doing for others. Throughout her life she loved to garden, swim, work on crosswords puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, games, played bridge, and enjoyed cooking and baking. She always had fresh cookies to eat! She kept her mind active; never sitting down- always keeping busy. After raising her 5 children in Brown Deer, WI and after the passing of her 1st husband Jim, she started a new adventure with Leroy Griepentrog.
It was a beautiful marriage full of love and adventure. After 30 years of pure happiness and many grandchildren to love and adore, Joyce, unwillingly, had to start a new life after Leroy passed. Although she missed Leroy every day, she began her next chapter and filled her days being a loyal friend, volunteering at her church, spending time with her children and grandchildren and enjoying her "happy place" which was her "lakehouse" in Wautoma, WI. Watching the birds- another passion she had- swimming, kayaking, using her paddle boat, taking many pontoon rides, and playing all kinds of games with her children and grandchildren.
This is what brought her joy and happiness. She was always grateful for everything she had and experienced and was active and fully engaged until the end of her life here on earth. Some of her last words were "tell everyone how much I loved them". Joyce will be forever missed but not forgotten. Joyce is survived by her children and their spouses, Daniel Moynihan, Nancy Moynihan, David Moynihan, Margaret (Michael Stohle) Moynihan and Richard (Kasey) Moynihan. Her grandchildren include Alberto Cambra, Samantha (Jay Pisarek) Sison, Sara (Roger Alvarez) Sison, Sean Sison, Jack Moynihan, Abby Moynihan, and Nathan Moynihan.
Joyce is also survived by her step-daughter-in-law Debbie (the late Randy Griepentrog) Kowenstrot, their child Drew Griepentrog, Robin (Wendy) Griepentrog and their children Matthew (Joy) Griepentrog, Annie (JJ) Bruckner, and Caitlyn (Cody) Zalewski, Gail (nee Griepentrog) Meissen and her husband Phil Meissen, and their children Danielle (Tony) Wampole, Kari (Nick) Glattard, Aaron (Tori) Meissen, and 16 great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life is being planned for a future date. Please check back for details.
