Joyce Elaine Tabaka's Obituary
Joyce Elaine Tabaka
RACINE—Joyce Elaine Tabaka, 84, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 30, 2016.
Joyce was born on June 19, 1931 in Iron County, Michigan to Emil and Lillian (nee: Koski) Forsman. When she was a teenager, the family relocated to Racine. Joyce was united in marriage to Donald Tabaka on February 11, 1950 at the family home in Alpha, MI. She lived in Maryland while Donald served in the military, then in 1952 they moved to Racine. Joyce worked as a Certified Nurse’s Assistant at the Lincoln Lutheran Nursing Home for 24 years and was a member of their 20 year club.
Helping people was Joyce’s major mission in life. She was an excellent cook and baker. Joyce was a devoted member of the First Church of God. She loved gospel music, watching the Packers, and reading biographies and other books. She adored her poodle, Pepe, whom she called “the apple of my eye!”
Joyce will be dearly missed by her brother and sister-in-law, Ray and Pat Forsman; her granddaughter, Jennifer (Mike Welch); great-grandchildren, Brandon Baran, and Ariel Welch; special friends, Ray and Eva Gartner, Beverly and James Anderson, Henry and LaVerne Dykhuis; and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Emil and Lillian; husband, Donald; brother, Richard Forsman; son, Kenneth Tabaka; and great-grandchildren, Christopher Crabtree, and Robert Tabaka.
Funeral services for Joyce will be held on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 11:00 AM Wilson Funeral Home with Pastor Ryan Reed officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM. Joyce will be buried at West Lawn Memorial Park privately. In honor of Joyce, memorials may be directed to First Church of God, 1650 Lathrop Ave, Racine, WI 53405. Condolences for the family may be expressed at www.wilsonfuneralhomeracine.com.
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