Joyce Regan

Joyce M. Regan, 78, of Waukon, IA, died Friday, October 24, 2025, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 30th, at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. Joseph Sevcik officiating. Burial will be in Lycurgus Cemetery, rural Waukon. Friends may greet the family from 9:00 AM until the time services Thursday at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either St. Patrick Catholic School, Veterans Memorial Hospital, or St. Mary's Lycurgus Cemetery Fund.

Joyce Marie (Troendle) Regan was born on Sunday, December 8, 1946, in Waukon, IA. She was the seventh of eight children born to George Francis Silas "Cy" and Loretta Ann Ellen (McLaughlin) Troendle.  She received all her sacraments at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon.

During her school years, Joyce learned to play the piano from the nuns, developing a lifelong love of music. Though her children's antics eventually left her piano unplayable, she continued to sing and hum her favorite hymns and tunes throughout her life. She especially enjoyed picking out songs for her grandson Corey to learn and perform on the guitar.

As a teenager, Joyce worked at the Model Café and later at Waldron's Bakery. She was an active member of the Eekamalla 4-H Club. She spent many fun-filled days with her close-knit group of friends who called themselves the "Nutty Nine." While she shared only a few of their adventures, her smile suggested there were plenty more, best left untold. Joyce was proud that her birthday fell on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (a holy day of obligation), which meant she always had the day off from school. She was class president, cheerleader, and graduated with the St. Patrick High School Class of 1965.

In the summer of 1964, while playing softball in the Waukon City League, Michael "Mike" Regan happened to be attending a game with some friends.  We believe that he admired her beauty over her athletic abilities and that led to their marriage on July 10, 1965.  Joyce being a city gal to this point of her life, she moved to the country (Makee Township) to begin a new chapter. She worked tirelessly alongside Mike to raise their family while managing the many responsibilities of the dairy and grain farm.  She was a member of St. Mary's Lycurgus Church until its closing.

In 1994, Joyce began working at Blumenthal Lansing Company (the "button factory"), where she remained until its closing in April 2016. She cherished the friendships she made there and often spoke fondly of her coworkers. She also shared her work with her grandchildren who loved helping her put button cards together at the kitchen table and picking out their favorite buttons. Even while working outside the home, Joyce continued to help her husband and sons on the family farm.

Joyce loved the holidays and enjoyed preparing baskets, gifts, crafts, and activities for her grandchildren, and later for her great-grandchildren, always making the celebrations special and full of joy.

Joyce is survived by her children: Frannie (Mike) Decker, Maury (Stacey) Regan, Bob (Jody) Regan, Trish (Corey) Shelton, and Paul Regan, all of Waukon, and Michael "Mick" Regan of Iowa City; her grandchildren: Andrew (Shandi) Decker, Corey (Abbey Swanson) Decker, Erin (Coady) Heiderscheit, Katie Regan, Brent (Brooke) Regan, Blake (Katelyn) Regan, Brandon (Viviana Castro) Regan, Hailey (Devin) Johnson, Marissa (Garrett) Cooper, Caitlin Shelton, and Abby (Josh Hornberg) Shelton; her great-grandchildren: Cylas and Camden Heiderscheit, Blair, Hayes, and Quinn Regan, Josephine Regan, Colter Johnson, Vivian and Vincent Cooper, and Hudson Hornberg; her sister Patricia "Patty" Sorensen; sisters-in-laws: Coreen Troendle, Betty Regan, Mary (Darrell) Henning, Rosie (Greg) Piggott, and Joan (Scott Anderson); brothers-in-laws: Frank (Mary) Regan, Bill (Karen) Regan, Ron Regan, and Charlie (Connie) Regan; and many nieces, nephews, and her godsons Mark Troendle and D.J. Regan.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Mike (January 2013); her great-granddaughter Lillian Cooper (June 2025); her infant sister, Mary; her sisters Janet (Harry) Hite and Joan Robey; her brothers George, Kenneth "Whip," and John; her parents-in-law William and Angella Regan; and in-laws Dennis Regan, Mary (Clauson) Regan, Matt Regan, and several nieces and nephews.

Casket bearers are Joyce's grandchildren.

Joyce will be remembered for her kindness, her laughter, and her deep love for family. Her legacy lives on through the many lives she has touched.