Joy K. Paquin

HURLEY, Wis. - Joy K. Paquin, 88, of Ironwood, Michigan, died peacefully Monday, July 22, 2024, at Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hurley, following a four-year battle with dementia.

Joy was born Oct. 5, 1935, in Albert Lee, Minnesota, daughter of Oscar W. and Edith (Oakland) Sjowall. Joy lived in Albert Lee until she was seven years old, at which time the family moved to River Falls. In 1951 the family moved to Ironwood. Joy graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1954. In 1956, Joy graduated from Gogebic Community College and went on to further her education at Northern Michigan University, receiving a degree in elementary education. She taught in the Wakefield and Ironwood school districts and was a substitute teacher for over 20 years.

Joy married Robert (Bob) Paquin on Dec. 28, 1957. They were married for 56 years until Bob's death in 2014. In 1964 Joy and Bob purchased Chief Oil Co. Inc. and continued to operate the business until 2008, at which time the company was sold.

Joy was a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Ironwood for over 70 years, where she taught Sunday school, was a member of the altar guild, and was a member of the church choir for 15 years.

Joy loved her family deeply, which included her husband, two children, four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Joy and Bob enjoyed many years spending the month of April in Sarasota, Florida, with family and their wonderful friends. Summer months were spent on the Manitowish Chain of Lakes, where they enjoyed boating, water skiing and swimming. Other hobbies of Joy's included square dancing with Bob and playing bridge.

Surviving are son, Christopher (Lori), and daughter, Robin (Joe) Kafczynski, both of Ironwood; four grandchildren, Stacey (Domenic) Trolla of El Paso, Texas, Tracey (Shane) Wiercinski of Wausau, Cassie (Aaron) Sklenar of Greenville, and Joe (Morgan) Kafczynski of Wausau; great-grandchildren, Jaxon, Calin and Skylie Wiercinski, Adalina and Zayden Trolla, Hudson and Elliana Sklenar, and Elliot Kafczynski; sister, Vicki (Dave) Ylkanen of North Oaks, Minnesota, and Wakefield; brother, Rock (Jeri) Sjowall of Tracy, California; niece, Shelby Sjowall of Tracy; nephews, Joshua Sjowall of Tracy, Eric (Shannon) Ylkanen of Chisago City, Minnesota, and Scott (Nikki) Ylkanen of Arden Hills, Minnesota; great-nephews, Samuel and Jack Ylkanen of Chisago City, and Braylon Ylkanen of Arden Hills; and great niece, Skylar Ylkanen of Arden Hills.

Joy was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; her parents; and her step-mother, Mary Louise Sjowall.

Per Joy's wishes, cremation has taken place.

A memorial service celebrating Joy's life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 14, at 10 a.m. preceded by visitation at 9 a.m. at Salem Lutheran Church in Ironwood, with Pastor Nicole Hanson-Lynn officiating. Luncheon will follow at Don and GG's restaurant on U.S. 2 in Ironwood.

Rite of Committal and private internment will be at Riverside Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Salem Lutheran Church, 333 E. Aurora St, Ironwood, MI 49938 or the Gogebic Community College Foundation, E. 4946 Jackson Road, Ironwood, MI 49938.

To view Joy's obituary online, sign her guestbook, or offer condolences, please visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.

The family would like to thank the staff at Villa Maria for their kind and compassionate care given to Joy for the two and a half years that she was a resident there.