Joyce O. Pautz

Joyce O. Pautz, 93, of Rhinelander, died on July 14, 2025 at the Country Terrace in Rhinelander. She was born on April 8, 1932 in Two Rivers, the daughter of Erwin and Amelia (Retzlaff) Pautz. She attended schools in Two Rivers graduating from the Washington High School in 1949. She then attended Dr. Martin Luther Academy and graduated with her teaching degree in 1952. She then taught elementary school in Caledonia at Trinity Lutheran before receiving a call to Zion Lutheran School to teach elementary grades in 1956. She taught at Zion until her retirement in 1997. 

Joyce devoted her entire life to serving her Lord and Savior. Beyond her teaching generations of children, she was also a longtime member of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. She played the organ for many years until health concerns prevented her from doing so. She also sang in the choir and was a member of the Ladies Guild for many years. 

Joyce is survived by her nieces and nephews and her family at Zion. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Eugene. 

Visitation for Joyce will be held on Tuesday, July 22, from 9 to 11 a.m. with funeral services following at 11 a.m., all at the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. Reverend Karl Schultz will be officiating. Interment will take place in the Northland Memorial Park Cemetery. You may leave your private condolences for her family at www.carlsonfh.com. The Carlson Funeral Home, 715-369-1414, is handling the arrangements for Ms Pautz.