Leatrice Joy Lillian Katzer, of Eagle River, Wisconsin, passed away on Sunday June 5, 2022, in Milford, Indiana at the age of 87.
Joy was born in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin on December 23, 1934, to Clair and Gertrude Lodes. She was the third child of four children. She married Roman S. Katzer on September 17, 1955, and together they raised six children. Joy was a devoted mother with a flair for style and creativity. She was an accomplished seamstress and used that talent throughout her life, creating amazing costumes, table creations, and décor for interior design. When her children were older, she helped design business forms, working alongside her husband Roman for Moore Business Forms.
Along with her husband Roman, Joy enjoyed the outdoors and spent time with the family on camping trips, as well as hunting and fishing. Joy’s love for people was expressed in her frequent welcoming of family and friends to their Sheboygan home and Eagle River cabin. Family and friends enjoyed cozy evenings around the campfire, laughing and sharing stories. Both Roman and Joy loved being out on the water, whether on Lake Michigan or the lakes up North. For many years, Joy was Roman’s First Mate on the 28’ long Carver, Romie’s Joy.
Throughout the years, Joy shared her talents through many avenues of volunteer work. She served several years as a Girl Scout leader. Later she served the disabled through her many volunteer roles with the annual fishing event hosted by Fishing Has No Boundaries Eagle River Chapter. One of her most recent contributions was the design and care of the display window at a local hospital. She was also a member of the Red Hat Society, where members gather for food, fun and friendship. In her later years, Joy and Roman spent winters in Gulf Shores, Alabama and summers in Eagle River, Wisconsin. This continued for many years until health concerns required her to relocate to Milford with her oldest son.
Joy is survived by her sister Margyl Tullis; 5 children: Mark (Patty) Katzer, LeaAnn (Michael) Hermsen, Roman (Julie) Katzer II, April (the late Ronnie) Wood, and Matthew (Kari) Katzer; 16 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; as well as many extended family members and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Roman; her parents and older brother, Gerald Lodes; sister Sharmayne Lodes; son, Gregory; grandson, Daniel; and son-in-law Ronnie Wood.
A Family and Friends Memorial celebration and meal in honor of Leatrice Joy will be held at the home of Mark Katzer (834 E Beer Rd., Milford) on June 18, 2022, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. A memorial event will also be held in Wisconsin on September 17, 2022, at 2:00 pm at the Eagle River cabin. Please call Roman or Matthew Katzer for details or questions.
