Joyce Drilling

Joyce Drilling, age 74, of St. Lucas, IA, died on Wednesday, May 3, 2017, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in LaCrosse, WI., following a lengthy illness. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 10, 2017, at the St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 307 East main street, St. Lucas, with Rev. Kyle Digmann presiding. Burial will be held in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m., on, Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at the St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, IA and also after 9:30 a.m., on Wednesday morning at the church. There will be a rosary at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday.      Joyce Barbara, the daughter of Linus and Leona (Huber) Croatt was born May 14,1942. She graduated from St Luke’s Catholic High School. On June 4,1963, she was united in marriage with Loras Drilling at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, Iowa. They were blessed with five children: Bev, Brian, Tom, Laura, and Greg. She assisted her husband with his tiling & construction business while raising their five children and caring for her parents in their later years. She enjoyed attending auctions & collecting antiques. Joyce was an avid bowler and enjoyed playing cards. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family, especially her 13 grandchildren and 2 great-granddaughters. She loved spending time at her weekend retreat in Faribault, Minnesota as well as the family’s vacation every August.  Joyce was a member of the Legion Auxiliary, National Catholic Society of Foresters for 69 years, St. Luke’s Catholic Church and Rosary Society.      She is survived by her devoted husband of 53 years, Loras.  Five children and spouses: Bev (Gary) Rustad of Decorah, Brian (Kelli) Drilling of St. Lucas, Tom (Chris) Drilling of St. Lucas, Laura (Steve) Busta of Fort Atkinson, & Greg (Jess) Drilling of Waucoma; Thirteen grandchildren: Alex Rustad (Fiancée Jackie Tursso) of Rogers, MN, Paige Rustad of La Crosse, WI, Samantha (Morgan) Gage of Waucoma, IA, Michael Drilling of St. Lucas, IA, Eric and Evan Drilling of St. Lucas, Nicole (Brad) Winter of Protivin, IA, Ryan, Emily, and Carson Busta of Fort Atkinson, IA, Sayler, Brennan, and Ella Drilling of Waucoma, IA. Two great-granddaughters: Haven and Dailyn Gage. Her mother: Leona Croatt, Decorah, IA.  Brother: Victor (Mary) Croatt, St. Lucas, IA.  Brother & sisters-in-law: Darlyn Schmitt, Waucoma, IA, Earl Jr. & Kathleen Drilling, Waucoma, IA, Audrey Drilling, St. Lucas, IA, Suzy Pederson, Hastings, MN and Jack & Sue Drilling, Decorah, IA.      She is preceded in death by her father, Linus Croatt, mother & father-in-law: Earl Sr. & Velma Drilling; Brother-in-laws: Luke Schmitt and Daryl Drilling, and nephew, Robert Croatt