Joy V. Thorn

July 7, 1926 - December 24, 2021

Joy Virginia Thorn, age 95, of Amherst, WI, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 24, 2021, at Bethany Home in Waupaca, WI. Joy was born July 7, 1926, in Memphis, TN, to Ernest and Mabel (Greer) Lowry. In her teenage years, she moved to Milwaukee and was an avid city-wide baseball and table tennis player. She was a life-long sports fan, continuing to support Tennessee while cheering on the Wisconsin Badgers, Milwaukee Braves (then Brewers), and Green Bay Packers. She followed many different sports through her entire life. Joy was a member of Peace Lutheran Church of Amherst for many years. She is survived by her children Betty (John) Olson of Amherst, WI; Jackie (Ken) Neumann of Winchester, WI; and Phil (Laura) Martin of Minooka, IL; ten grandchildren Roger Dudley Jr., Michael Dudley, Merry Dudley, all of Amherst; Dave (Michelle) Olson of Providence, RI; Steve (Melissa) Olson of Iola, WI; Robert Neumann of Winchester, WI; Mike (Susanne) Neumann of Lakeland, FL; Katie (Derek) Ernest of King, WI; Brian (Alexandria) Martin and Eric Martin, both of Plainfield, IL; fourteen great-grandchildren Sam (Tara) Dudley; Macy Dudley; Ian Dudley; Kaitlin, Hannah, and James Olson; Alice and Philip Olson; Casey and Lily Neumann; Bryce and Jacob Neumann; Eden Ernest; and Kaylee Martin; as well as two great-great-grandchildren Chloe and Jase Dudley. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, an infant sister and brother; daughter Merna (Roger) Dudley of Amherst, WI; an infant granddaughter; and one great-great-granddaughter, Evelyn Dudley. A Funeral Service will be on Thursday, December 30, 2021, at 11:00 AM at Peace Lutheran Church in Amherst, WI. Reverend Gretchen Anderson will officiate. A visitation will be held on Thursday morning from 10:00 – 11:00 AM at the church. The wearing of masks and physical distancing is strongly encouraged. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Amherst following the service on Thursday. The Jungers-Holly Funeral Home of Amherst is assisting the family with arrangements. The family would like to thank the staff (past and current) of Bethany Home for their excellent care during the last five years.