Joyce A. Elsen

Joyce (Jacobus) Riordan Elsen

Joyce, the youngest of three daughters, born to Ray and Leta (Kelly) Jacobus on December 19, 1928. She was a graduate of “Old Central” in La Crosse, WI. On February 14, 1947 she married William “Bill” Riordan and they were blessed with a family of five sons and one daughter.  Bill passed away September 30, 1983 at the age of 57. Joyce was so thankful Bill lived long enough to experience being a grandparent—a role she and Bill loved so much. On October 14, 1989 she married Richard “Dick” Elsen.

Joyce was employed for 33 years at La Crosse Telephone, later Century Link, retiring in 1990. Once retired, Joyce and Dick became snowbirds, spending their summers at Lake Neshonoc in West Salem, WI and winters at Buttonwood Bay Resort in Sebring, FL. They had many friends in both WI and FL who they frequently traveled with. They also traveled yearly to Wilmington, NC to spend time with Dick’s three daughters and their families. After 16 years of fun and travel, they returned to Onalaska where Joyce always considered her home. She loved being back home to watch her family grow.

She also loved the “Neshonoc Girls” card club which after 40 years is still going strong, walking her dog, Leo, and traveling around the world with her daughter Kathy, noting her favorite trip being their 10 days in Rome and Paris.

She was preceded in death by her first husband William Riordan; second husband Richard Elsen; sons Kevin and Dan Riordan; her parents, sisters Millie (James) Finn and Betty (Eugene) Wiedman; brother-in-law Tom Elsen; sister-in-law Allamae Elsen; son-in-law John Subjek; and grandson Andrew Subjek.

She is survived by her children Michael (Sue) Riordan, Kathleen Subjek, William (Laurie) Riordan and Patrick (Debbie) Riordan. Her grandchildren Kelly Wing, Kerry (Brian) Glodosky, Tony (Angela) Subjek, Lisa (Dave) Foster, Brian (Cassie) Subjek, Kate (Rick) Antony, Kim (Jeff) Strittmater, Conlin Riordan, Brady Riordan and 17 great-grandchildren.

Her second family in Wilmington, NC: Bonnie (Mark) Jones, Sandy (Larry) Ward, Karen (Dan) Hagain, five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Onalaska. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Burial will follow in Onalaska City Cemetery.