Joyce Ellen Stankewicz

Joyce Ellen Stankewicz (Summers), 75 passed away at home on 9/14/25 from complications of dementia.

A devoted wife to Melvin Stankewicz, mother to Julie and Jenna.

Joyce was born in Olney, IL by loved mother Lola Bell Kisner (White) and an undeserving father who will not be mentioned.

She did not graduate high school, she left with a flip of the bird and a smile on her face. Joyce, a nurturer by nature entered the field of nursing along side of her mother. She had a caring heart and gave her all to others.

Joyce married young to Tinker and had her first love, a daughter dearly cherished, Julie Cantrell (Doan).

In 1972 she met (in her words) a beautiful brown eyed man who bought her a pack of ciggs, had a pool cue physical altercation and a job. He smiled at her, she knew he would be her protector from then on. 1975 he became her peace, she married Melvin Stankewicz, her current husband. She said her good byes to the shimmy GOGO dancing she had a blast at, always dancing the night away. They moved to MT to start a new life. Not only was Joyce a talented hair and makeup stylist, she had a niche for style and design. She became Montanas (and surrounding area) brand ambassador for Home Decoroma. She traveled to shows, used her social skills and eye for beauty to help others make their house a home. Joyce had a gift that came naturally to her, making her surroundings beautiful. After many years she finally had her other daughter Jenna.

She loved her family more than any words could describe. She was everyone's mom. Joyce has never met a stranger, if she met you in isle 6 in Kmart in 1987 your achievements or problems were part of her thoughts and prayers the rest of her life.

Joyce lived to love her family. After moving to Wi to be closer to her mama and daughter she became a business owner with husband Mel at Bell Plumbing. She hated the paper work but loved her husband, she spent years writing invoices, orders and making calls. Every year she hand wrote Christmas cards with her elegant penmanship that many looked forward to.

Joyce has battled a lifetime of depression and fought hard with her own battles. She wanted to make sure everyone around her felt loved at all times, even on her worst days she still made sure you were protected and happy. She enjoyed cooking and making enough to feed an army.

Joyce was fiesty, honest, stylish and had a heart of gold. Her morals were high but her hair was higher. Just seeing her warmed your soul.

There she was; long painted nails, beautiful gold rings holding her virginia slim luxury light 120s, teased perm, makeup and lashes on point, flowy leopard print with her welcoming smile. She was the light. Mom tip, before you leave the house, add more perfume and hairspray.

Joyce's joy wasn't just family, she had a passion for slot machines. She loved to gamble at the casinos!

Her nails slightly tapping the slot buttons getting faster, bells ringing, chips dropping ending in her frantically beating the shit out of the machine buttons, cracking many, hitting the jackpots. With every jackpot she would share a mcmuffin with her dog Gabbie and call her family at the crack of dawn asking what we needed.

On Wednesdays you find her on the rummage sale routes with a cherry coke always hoping to find something special. "Yes you need that" was said more than we like to admit.

God, family, casinos and frosting made her love shine brighter than the stars above. Joyce was a protective, empathetic loving soul who will truly be missed by those by her side.

Joyce's beautiful soul was welcomed to heaven by her mother Lola White, daughter Lor'rie Cantrell, brother Allen Summers, sister Lynn Germak, grampa Lowery Kisner, Aunt Marjorie Mullenix, former son in law Jeff kirsch and many family, pets and friends. Let us not forget Elvis will welcome her by singing for her first dance in heaven.

Joyce is survived by her husband Melvin Stankewicz, daughter Julie (Jerry), daughter Jenna (Mark), Grandchildren; Jessica, Shelby, Cody and Jenevieve, Jase, Eli, Jacob, Braylee Paizlee. Great grandchildren; Ethan, Brianna, Emberly, Rowan, Autumn, Katie, Jayda, Lane, Hallie, Raven, Mabry and Sailor.

Joyce requested no services as per her wishes. Enjoy a heavily frosted cake, bet max, listen to your heart, call your family assholes and tell 'em you love them.