Ruth Joyce Brown, 86, of Luck, Wisconsin, entered into glory on July 14, 2024, after an unexpected and severe stroke during what was expected to be a routine procedure. While our hearts mourn the loss of her, we rejoice in the certainty that she is with her Lord and Savior now.

Joyce was born on December 14, 1937, to Leonard Basil Crotteau and Ruth Hazel Black Crotteau in Hastings, Minnesota. Despite being a petite woman in adulthood, she weighed a whopping ten pounds at birth! Their family moved to Cumberland, Wisconsin, when Joyce was a young girl. When she was about six years old, her family moved to a farm in Johnstown Township in Polk County. They resided there for the duration of her childhood years. Joyce attended A.P. Holst Elementary School before graduating from Luck High School in 1955.

It was around this time when she met the love of her life, LeRoy Eldon Brown, at Pipe Lake Roller Rink. They were married on June 8, 1957, at the McKinley Methodist Church.

After marriage, they bought the farm which they have called home ever since. Shortly after, both LeRoy and Joyce worked in the Twin Cities: Joyce in the payroll department at 3M and LeRoy working steel construction (They did everything together!). They would commute back to the farm each weekend during this time. In October 1958, when LeRoy was drafted into the military and was sent off to basic training in Colorado, Joyce went to live with her parents. When he had completed basic training and was sent to survey school in Oklahoma, the pair were reunited. In August of 1959, LeRoy was deployed to South Korea, and Joyce returned home to live with her parents again and resumed working for 3M, this time in the Cumberland office.

October 20, 1960, LeRoy returned from Korea, and the two began their life on the farm in earnest. They went on to have two children: Laura and Paul. LeRoy and Joyce always worked side by side, which was how they both preferred it. Tending the dairy cows, enjoying the outdoors, cooking maple syrup, sharing a treat from Dairy Queen- they did it all together. Joyce was a faithful companion, seldom complaining, and more concerned about the welfare of others than herself. Her faith in Christ was always strong and grew especially under the faithful teaching of God’s Word she received in her later years.

To know Joyce was to love her. She had a wonderful sense of humor and would often giggle mischievously after playing a prank on a friend or grandchild. (She loved to hide rubber spiders and other critters in unexpected places for someone to discover!) Throughout her life she had quite the menagerie of animals. From a fawn she and her brothers domesticated in her childhood, a raccoon named Oscar in her teens, to the impressive flock of hummingbirds and herd of barn cats she left behind, Joyce loved God’s creatures. Her baking was an expression of her love for others. Whether it was a basket of rolls for her son-in-law, a dozen of her legendary cinnamon rolls, or a batch of a grandchild’s favorite treats unearthed from the colossal freezers, she cared for those she loved so well. She was incredibly talented and enjoyed quilting, knitting, and gardening as well. She will be remembered for her joyful spirit, her quiet but committed faith, and her love for her family.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Ruth Crotteau, and her brother Bruce, and his wife, Judy. She is survived by her husband of sixty-seven years, LeRoy Brown, her brother Jim (Janet) Crotteau, brother in law Glen (Claudine) Brown, as well as her daughter, Laura (Nate) Jensen, her son, Paul (Nicci) Brown, many nieces and nephews, her grandchildren, Saffron Schoon, Jacob (Myshel) Jensen, Emily (Andrew) Robison, Zachary (Danielle) Brown, David Chelby) Jensen, Levi (Hannah) Jensen, and great grandchildren Beau, Charlotte, Lucy, Asher, Judson, and Amos.

A visitation will be held on Monday, July 22 at Rowe Funeral Home in Luck from 5:00-7:00. The funeral will be held at East Balsam Baptist Church on Tuesday, July 23. Visitation will begin at 10:00 with the service at 11:00.

Last Update: Jul 17, 2024 11:02 am CDT