Joyce Ruth Lawlor
In loving memory of Joyce Lawlor; beloved wife, mother and grandmother. Joyce Ruth Lawlor, 89, passed away peacefully Sept. 3.
She was born Nov. 25, 1927, in Dorchester, Iowa, to Jesse and Ruth Lane of Waukon, Iowa. She married the love of her life, Robert Louis Lawlor, on Dec. 31, 1948.
Joyce had a contagious smile and laugh that would light up the room. She will be remembered by her quiet, kind strength and her way of staying positive no matter what life brought on. She lived an exemplary life, inspiring those around her with her dedication to her family, the church and the community. With a love of life and travel, together Joyce and Robert enjoyed spending time cruising in the winter months in Napels, Fla., and spending time with family in Galena, Ill., and McGregor, Iowa in the summer and fall. Together with her husband, Robert, Joyce was a pioneer in the midwest wine industry. Visionaries, in 1976, they established the Lawlor Family Winery in McGregor, Iowa, and La Crosse, which planted the seed in the late 1980s for what is now Galena Cellars Vineyard and Winery.
She is survived by her four children Scott (Karan) Lawlor, of Galena; Christine (Mike) Lawlor-White, of Galena; Tim (Ann) Lawlor, of La Crosse, and Rebecca Lawlor, of San Diego, Calif.; 11 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Bonnie Jenkins and Beverly Carroll, of Cypress, Calif.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert and her parents, Jesse and Ruth Lane.
In lieu of flowers please send memorials to The McGregor Historical Museum, Attn: Jean Peterson, PO Box 426, McGregor, IA 52157. There will be a Mass and Christian Burial at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 13, at St. Mary’s Parish in McGregor, Iowa, followed by a celebration of life from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Backwoods Bar and Grill. Friends may call one hour prior to the service on Friday at the Court Yard of the Church.
