After 35 years with the Monroe Clinic, Joyce Hummel has retired, and her family invites you to an open house in her honor on Sunday, February 21, 2016, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Town Edge Restaurant in New Glarus.

Joyce Pagel graduated from Monticello High School and moved to Minneapolis to attend the Medical Institute of Minnesota and become a Medical Laboratory Technician. After completing her degree, she moved to Des Moines, Iowa, to work at Broadlawns County Hospital, where she made many lifelong friends and met her future husband, Larry Hummel. After marriage, Larry and Joyce Hummel moved back to Green County, and Joyce began working for The Monroe Clinic. Eventually they took over the family dairy farm west of Monticello, and Joyce took off a few years to stay home and work on the farm while their two children, Julie and Steve, were small. In 1980, Joyce rejoined the work force at The Monroe Clinic, working in Monroe for many years before transferring to the New Glarus Branch in 1994.

Over the years, Joyce earned a reputation throughout the area as "the best blood drawer." Some patients even transferred their health care to New Glarus just so they could experience her skilled fingers! Although she was revered for her ability to draw blood with minimal discomfort, more than that she is loved by her patients for her compassion and caring. Joyce has always been quick to offer a hug in comfort or in congratulation, hold a hand or lend an ear when patients are scared or nervous or sad, rejoice with them when good news arrives, cry with them when bad news falls, and pray with them when nothing less will do.

Joyce's family and friends have always known her to be a woman of strong faith and understanding and generosity. Her coworkers have become family, and her patients have become friends, and no one is ever forgotten by this amazing woman who truly cares about everyone she meets. Her family often jokes that she is the only person who can make a lifelong friendship at a stoplight, and her Christmas card list grows every time she takes a vacation. There is no doubt that she has loved her coworkers and patients over the years and will never forget any of them, even as she begins this new chapter in her life.

Retirement brings excitement and new challenges, and Joyce Hummel is enthusiastic about them all. She expects this new journey to include more time with family and volunteering. Joyce and her husband, Larry, have two children, Julie (Earnie) Ruegsegger and Steve Hummel, both in Monticello. They have five grandchildren, Ryan Ruegsegger is currently a senior at UW-River Falls, David Ruegsegger is a freshman at UW-Platteville, Alaya Hummel is a sophomore at Monticello High School, and Brock and Jaydan Hummel attend Monticello Middle School. They enjoy travelling by themselves, with friends, and often with Joyce's mother, Marie Pagel. Joyce is also very busy with volunteer work at Green Cares Food Pantry, Green Haven Family Advocates call center, and Washington Reformation UCC. She is currently serving on Monticello School Board and has recently joined the board for the New Glarus Home. She looks forward to continuing and expanding her volunteer opportunities and connecting with family and friends, near and far.

Please join us at Town Edge Restaurant on Sunday, February 21, 2016, to congratulate Joyce Hummel on this new endeavor. The door will be open from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., for anyone who would like to visit, share memories, or just wish her well. Appetizers and dessert will be served, and Joyce asks for no gifts. Your presence is the only gift she requests. Hope to see you there!