Joyce Marie Manske

Joyce Marie Mikos Manske passed away on January 25, 2024 in Lakeway, Texas at the age of 69 after a 16-month battle with the merciless disease Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD). Joyce was born in Chicago, IL and raised in the northern suburb of Highland Park, IL, where she attended Immaculate Conception parochial schools and Highland Park High School graduating in 1972. Joyce attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1977.

Joyce had a magnetic personality and a smile that would light up a room, both which contributed to life-long friendships with people from all aspects of her life. Joyce could–and would! --talk to any stranger as if they were already friends. The world has lost a truly magnificent woman. While Joyce never had any children of her own, she loved her stepchildren as if they were, and was so excited to have grandchildren that she thoroughly adored.

Joyce intended to teach Art in public schools after college graduation but the job market steered her in a different direction. Joyce began a long and successful career in human resources where she was always empathetic with the employees and a stickler for details. In the summer of 1981, Joyce spent 6 weeks traveling Europe where she befriended some other travelers who talked highly of their hometown of Austin, Texas. After spending yet another brutal winter in the Chicago area, she decided to move to much-warmer Austin in 1984. Joyce met her future husband, Paul, while working together in 1991 and later married in 1994. Joyce was proud of her Chicago roots and unmistakable Chicago accent, but even more proud of becoming a Texan at heart–and in practice, taking second place in a city-wide guacamole contest in 1996.

Joyce is survived by her husband of 29 years, Paul Manske; step sons, Nicholas Manske and wife Summer (Dinh) with grandchildren Indigo and Seven, Patrick Manske with grandchildren Willa and Holden, Matthew Manske and wife Marla (Lee) with grandchildren Theo and Peter, and Nathan Manske. Joyce is also survived by siblings, Kathy (Mikos) Hess, Tom Mikos and wife Jenny, Roseann Mikos and Bill Mikos as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. Joyce is predeceased by her parents John and Catherine (Whalen) Mikos.

An informal celebration of life will be held on March 2, 2024 from 2-4 pm at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, located at 411 Ranch Rd. 620 S., Lakeway, TX. An additional celebration will be held in Highland Park, IL at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the CJD Foundation to help with research into this terrible disease, or a charity of your choosing.