Joyce Ann Cates (nee Probst), age 83 of Bassett, WI, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, with loving family by her side. Daughter of the late Clarence and Lillian (Kaese) Probst, Joyce was born on May 19, 1940, in Chicago, IL. Joyce grew up in Chicago and spent summers in Twin Lakes, WI, before the family moved permanently to Twin Lakes in her teen years. She attended Wilmot High School, where she met the love of her life, James C. Cates. The young couple was united in marriage on November 8, 1958, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Twin Lakes, of which she was a lifelong member.
Joyce was a devoted wife and mother, raising five children and managing the household while working part time cleaning houses and businesses. Joyce was known to “hang with the guys,” joining her four sons and husband in fishing, deer hunting, and rooting for Wisconsin sports teams. She was a horsewoman who enjoyed riding and caring for horses and ponies on her property while the kids were growing up. Joyce had an excellent sense of humor and loved cracking jokes, and she wasn’t afraid to be direct or speak her mind. At weddings and parties, Joyce could always be found enjoying herself on the dance floor. In her free time, she liked playing cards, gardening, arts and crafts, and crossword puzzles. Joyce especially loved spending time at her daughter Jenny’s house, where she would enjoy quality time with family, cheering on the Packers, and loving on her several grand-dogs.
Joyce is survived by her children, John, Jeff (Paula), Joe (Dannette) Cates, and Jennifer (Ken) Nardini; 14 grandchildren, Joshua (Jessie), Jeremy, Jacob (Courtney), Dakota, and Jordan Cates, Megan (Dane) Weiting, Daniel, and Corey (Nia) Cates, Cassie (Kevin) Weakley, Karley (Sean) Stewart, Kamryn, Kenedy, Kolton, and Keelyn Nardini; 10 great-grandchildren, Brycen, Amarae, Zsofia, Calen, Lola, Stormi, Owen, Ethan, Kinsley, Jaxson, and Baby Girl Stewart on the way.
In death, she is reunited with her husband of 60 years, James Cates; son, Jerry Cates; sister, Rosemary Kingston, and brother, Casey Probst.
Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Friday, May 17, 2024, from 10:00AM until 1:45PM at Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Home, 620 Legion Drive, Twin Lakes, WI. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 2:00PM at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 701 N. Lake Ave, Twin Lakes, WI. Interment to follow at St. John’s Cemetery.
Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Home and Crematory of Twin Lakes is honored to serve the Cates family.
