Joy Jill Zastrow-Mulcahy, 66, of Colgate, WI, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2023, after a 2-year struggle with Cancer.
Joy was born on July 6th,1956 to Ewalt and Pearl Zastrow in Milwaukee, WI. A year later her family moved into the home they built in Colgate, WI. After graduating from Germantown high school in 1974, she went on to study and receive a bachelor’s degree at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.
After graduation, she started her first job as a Land Surveyor for National Survey, where she met her first husband Colin. They married in 1980 and opened their own surveying company, Corner Stone Survey. Together they ran a successful business, built a beautiful log home, and traveled. Colin passed away in 1996 after years of health issues. Both Colin and Joy were active members in the Wisconsin Society of Land Surveyors. She was also a member of the National Society of Professional Surveyors. Joy had a passion for land surveying and continued to go to conventions even after her diagnosis.
After Colin’s death Joy sold the business and met her second husband Ken. They were married and spent many years traveling, going to bluegrass festivals and riding motorcycles. In 1998 Joy joined Ken in the BMW family. They were active members in the BMW Riders Association and the Wisconsin Motorcycle Club, where they built many long-lasting relationships and won numerous service awards as a couple. Ken passed away in 2017 with Joy by his side. With Ken’s passing Joy was unanimously voted into the club and served on the board.
Joy had multiple passions and took an active role in all of them. Most prominently was her involvement and leadership roles in Zion Colgate and Emmanuel Community United Methodist Churches. She served on the Cemetery Committee at Zion and was lead usher at Emmanuel where she promoted women as ushers. Eastern Star was another organization that Joy was involved in for most of her life. She held positions as Grand Esther, Grand Appointed Officer, and Grand Marshall. She was also the Secretary of the Lila B Graser Chapter for many years before it joined with the Wauwatosa Chapter. As an active member of the Richfield Historical Society, she volunteered for the Thresheree every year.
Her life was full, independent, and authentic. It was filled with laughter, friends, porch swings, motorcycle rides and bluegrass music. She will be missed, and her legacy will live on through the many people’s lives she touched along the way.
Joy was predeceased by her brother Warren, her father Ewalt, her mother Pearl, her first husband Colin Mulcahy, her best friend Mary Black and her second husband Kenneth Kuenzi. She is survived by stepchildren from both her marriages, Scott Mulcahy, Deborah (Vance) Strader, Shawn (Heather) Mulcahy, Tim Mulcahy, Robert (Karen) Kuenzi, and Linda (Richard) McMahon. She is also survived by her step grandchildren, Melissa (Mike) Bovee, James Paulson, Hannah Paulson, Caleb Mulcahy, Seth Mulcahy, Brittany Belongia, Matthew Kuenzi, Michael (Danielle) Kuenzi, Maria (Nathan) Stewart, Jack McMahon, and Rachel McMahon. She is further survived by her step great-grandchildren, Millie and Walter Bovee.
Visitation will be on Friday, March 24 from 1:30PM until time of Memorial Service at 2:30PM at Emmanuel Community United Methodist Church; N84 W16707 Menomonee Ave., Menomonee Falls. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Joy's name to the Richfield Historical Society, Samaritan's Purse, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin or Hunger Task Force are greatly appreciated.