Joyce Peschong

Joyce L. Peschong, age 94, of Milbank, SD, died on January 4, 2020, at Milbank Area Hospital – Avera Health.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 8, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank and will continue at the church on Thursday, one hour prior to the Mass. Father Gary DeRouchey will celebrate the Mass, and burial will be at LaBolt Cemetery.

Joyce LaFay Syrstad was born on February 21, 1925, on the family farm near the Yellow Bank River to Melvin and Esther (Nordquist) Syrstad. She attended school in Revillo, SD, and graduated in 1943. On October 18, 1945, she was united in marriage with Dale Peschong at the parsonage at Church of the Annunciation in Revillo. They took a honeymoon to the Redfield area to go pheasant hunting. Together they were blessed with 34 years of marriage and five children: Sandra, Gary, Thomas, Laurie, and Susan. Dale passed away on July 23, 1980.

Each spring, Joyce would purchase 500 chickens to raise and butcher. Her children didn’t really appreciate having to get up early on summer mornings to butcher chickens or having to do chicken chores every day; however, they did enjoy having fresh, farm raised chickens to eat! Joyce was known for her delicious chicken and chocolate cake. In addition to working on the farm and raising her children, Joyce worked with her longtime friend, Evy Berg, for 42 years. They took on painting, wallpapering, and woodworking jobs.

Joyce lived and farmed near LaBolt, SD, until she moved to rural Milbank in 1984 following her marriage to Jim Angerhofer. Joyce welcomed Jim’s children into her life: James Jr., Gavin, Debbie, Karen, Vicki, and Scott. Jim died in 2005.

Joyce loved dancing. Dale, Joyce, and Betty and Glen Schull ran the Tunnerville Dance Hall for many years. Joyce also enjoyed bowling and playing Pinochle. She was an avid Minnesota Twins fan! Later in life, she was proud of her three motorcycle rides after age 80; however, she always said her greatest accomplishment was raising five wonderful kids.

Joyce is survived by her children: Sandy (Ted) Wechsler of Sun City West, AZ; Gary (Shirley) Peschong of Watertown, SD; Tom (Shannon) Peschong of LaBolt, SD; Laurie (Brad) Schultz of Pierre, SD; Susan (Larry) Bendix of Boyd, MN; ten grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; two sisters: Adeline Schull and Sharon (Dale) Weaver; and special family friend, Father John McMullen O.S.B.

She was preceded in death by her husbands: Dale Peschong and James Angerhofer; three grandchildren: Lee Peschong, Adam Schultz, and Andrew Schultz; one brother; and five sisters.