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Joyce Marie (Wostarek) Shupak of Frelsburg, Texas, passed away on April 4, 2024. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend.
Joyce was born on March 12, 1949 in Sealy, TX to Justin and Cora Wostarek. On April 4, 1971 she married the love of her life, Johnnie Shupak, Jr. Together they raised five children.
Joyce worked at Heinshohn’s Store in Frelsburg and the local drugstore in Columbus for several years. She then became a cook at The Falls running the golf course snack bar between the ninth and tenth hole where she met many famous people and had autographs that she was very proud of. She took pride in serving the BEST chicken salad sandwiches and yummiest burgers around. After she
retired from the Falls, she and Johnnie opened up their own business, J&J Pavilion in New Ulm, where they made more friends who became family. They catered many events together, entered BBQ cook-offs, and worked with her brother to provide meals to the senior families in the area.
Joyce loved knitting, crocheting, dancing to polka, old country music, baking, and playing bunco. Joyce crocheted each one of her children a special blanket and continued the tradition of gifting a handmade blanket for each grandchild upon their graduation or 18th birthday. One of the fondest memories is that she would call you at the crack of dawn to sing Happy Birthday over the phone and sometimes it would be in the middle of your workday, but she wanted to make sure each birthday for each person felt special. If for some reason you didn’t answer, she would sing her message on voicemail.
She crocheted blankets for Texas Children’s Hospital and was in the process of making blankets and handheld pouches that would hold a “miraculous medal” for cancer patients that were receiving chemotherapy. She was well known for her homemade noodles and kolaches and always had special orders anytime she was making a batch; and everyone loved the coleslaw she made for the church fish fries. She enjoyed having BBQs and fish fries with her family and friends.
She attended many church retreats and loved making baked goods for church picnics. She volunteered at most local events including church and volunteer fire department functions. She also volunteered at the Columbus Food Pantry.
Joyce was a devout member of the Catholic Church, and her Catholic faith was immeasurable. She and Johnnie raised their family accordingly.
Those fortunate enough to have known Joyce, recognized her gentle heart, pure kindness and deep love for her family and friends.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Justin and Cora (Buxkemper) Wostarek; son, Charles John Shupak; sister, Elizabeth Klausmeyer (Arnold); brothers, Allen Wostarek and Karl Jeffry Wostarek; in-laws, Johnnie and Emily Shupak, Sr.; brothers in-law, Jerry Shupak, Sr., Robert Shupak, and Donald Shupak.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Johnnie Shupak; sons, Chris (Anna) Shupak and David (Emily) Shupak; daughters, Anna (Charlie) Krueger and Theresa Shupak; brothers, Joe (Cathy) Wostarek, Michael (Dorothy) Wostarek, Monroe Wostarek, Justin Wostarek, and Thomas (Amy) Wostarek; sisters, Darlene (Billie) Hinze, Mary (Ronnie) Luedke, Adeline (DeWayne) Dvorak, and Lisa (Mike) Moeller; brother in-law, James (Shirley) Shupak; sisters in-law, Patsy (Andy) Eckermann, Joyce (Jack) Schmidt; ten grandchildren, four great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held at Henneke Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 from 5 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with parish rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will also be held at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Frelsburg on Wednesday, April 10, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. with rosary at 9:30 a.m.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at 10 a.m. at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Frelsburg, with burial in the Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery.
Pallbearers are nephews, Jason Klausmeyer, Tyler Moeller, Kevin Dvorak, Daniel Dvorak, Ron Luedke, Jeff Hinze, Jason Schmidt, and Jackie Schmidt. Honorary pallbearers are her ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Memorials may be given to Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 1031 Church Lane, New Ulm, TX 78950 or Texas Children’s Hospital, Office of Philanthropy, Suite 6226, P.O. Box 300630, Houston, TX 77230-0630.
Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome. com.
