Mona Joyce Tryggeseth

IRON BELT - Mona Joyce Tryggeseth, 55, of 7579W Severance St., Iron Belt, died unexpectedly of an apparent heart attack Sunday, June 14, 2009, at her home.

Mona Joyce was born Feb. 9, 1954, in Portage, daughter of Charles and Vivian Colburn Joyce. She attended St. Mary's Catholic School and graduated from Portage High School in 1972. She then attended Madison Area Technical College in Madison for one year. Mona lived in Montana, where she was employed as a saleswoman for Kirby Vacuum Cleaner Corp. Returning to Portage, she worked in the business office for Rhyme Supply and in the meat department and deli at Pierce's Grocery. She moved to Merrill, where she managed the deli at the 29 Super Grocery Store. Moving to Iron Belt in November 1990, she was employed as a distributor for Brownberry Bread Co. for many years, and as manager of the former Royal Bakery in Ironwood, Mich. and Mercer. She was currently employed as p.m. supervisor at United Parcel Service in Ironwood and also worked part-time at Joe's Pasty Shop. Mona volunteered her time locally as a driver for the American Cancer Society and served on the Iron Belt Election Board. She was an avid rock hound and agate collector, and loved spending time at Copper Harbor, Pictured Rocks and Lake Superior. Other interests included crocheting, gardening, deer hunting, fishing, camping, horses and bird watching. She was married to Lance Tryggeseth on Oct. 1, 1988, by her uncle, Father Bud Joyce. Lance survives.

Also surviving are her son, Matthew (Crystal) Schutz of Kimball; three grandchildren, Sammy, Hunter and Taylor; her sister, Christine (Ron) Wheeler of Portage; sisters-and-brothers-in-law, Robyn Tryggeseth and Jackie Tryggeseth, both of Sauk City, Terry (Gretchen) Tryggeseth of Eagle River, and Eric Tryggeseth of Grand Marsh; a nephew, Andy Wheeler of Portage; four nieces, Tessa Whitemarsh of Sauk City, and Cassie, Kristina and Tia Tryggeseth of Eagle River; cousins, other relatives and many close friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Hurley, with the Rev. Michael Hayden, celebrant. Rite of Committal will take place at the church, with luncheon to follow in the parish hall. Private inurnment will be in St. Mary Help of Christians Cemetery, Briggsville. Relatives and friends may call at the church beginning at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood assisted with arrangements.