Joy E. Close Obituary (1923 - 2007)

JOY E. CLOSE Joy E. Close, age 83, passed away Saturday, May 5, 2007, at Red Cedar Medical Center in Menomonie. He was born September 27, 1923, in Knapp to Edgar and Selma (Olson) Close. After high school, Joy joined his dad and sister Phyllis in the Knapp Creamery. With Joy as President, the family business thrived, bottling milk, making Homaid ice cream, and cheese and whey protein. Joy married Mildred Maves on October 12, 1946 at Minneapolis, MN. He had a strong commitment to family and was proud that all of his five children graduated from U.W. Stout. Joy had many accomplishments and believed in giving back to the community as he demonstrated throughout his life. In addition to business, Joy also served on the Wisconsin Cheesemakers board of directors from 1984 to 1990, served on the Knapp Village Board serving a total of 43 years, 16 as a member and 27 as village President. He was a Boy Scout Leader, charter member of the Knapp Lions Club, charter member of what would become the Dunn County United Way, a 44 year member of the Dunn County Farm Bureau and a board member and contributor to what is now the Red Cedar Medical Center. Joy was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and served on the church's board of directors. Joy is survived by: His loving wife of 60 years Mildred of Knapp His sons, David (Georgene) Close of Knapp Daniel (Kathleen) Close of Hoffman Estates, IL Dennis (Roxanne) Close of Menomonie Duane (finance' Kathleen) Close of Eau Claire A daughter, Melissa (John) Boldon of Knapp He is also survived by fourteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren A sister, Inez (Herman) Genrich of Eau Claire One Aunt Winnie Close of Eau Claire Plus many loving nieces, nephews, family and friends Joy was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Phyllis Schwartz and Shirley Lefstad a brother Robert Close and two grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday, May 8, 2007 at Knapp United Methodist Church in Knapp, WI with Pastor James Harrington officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in the Town of Stanton, Dunn Co., WI. Family and friends are welcome from 4:00 to 8:00 PM Monday at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie and at the church one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. To express condolences online, please visit obituaries at www.olsonfh.net