Muriel M. Joles

Muriel Joles, age 97, of Boyceville, passed away Monday, September 7, 2026, at Comforts of Home in Menomonie, WI.

Muriel Mae Austreng was born on December 10, 1928, in Dunn County, WI, to Clarence Austreng and Cynthia Maude (Williams) Austreng. She grew up in Wheeler, WI, and on November 28, 1945, she married Harry Joles Sr. Together, they celebrated 55 years of marriage until he passed away on October 1, 2001.

Muriel lived a very active and fulfilling life. She was a wife, mother and grandmother to many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. For all her adult life she was a hardworking homemaker, who always cared for everyone before herself.

She often showed her love in the form of a wonderful home cooked meal, baked sweet treats with a cup of black coffee or with food she canned from her garden. She never had an empty coffee cup, cookie jar or freezer and no one ever left her house hungry. Muriel was most known in the family for making lutefisk, lefse and delicious buns for many holidays and gatherings. If she was not found in her kitchen, she was outside in her garden surrounded by her flowers and produce, hanging clothes on the line or mowing the lawn and other yard work.

She cherished spending time with her family and friends and was an active church member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Boyceville until she was nearly 90 years old. Muriel would never turn down a game of Scrabble, Yahtzee or a hand of cards; 500 Rummy and King’s Corner, in particular. When her grandkids were around, she would give her undivided attention - whether it was storytelling, playing a game, putting together a puzzle or spending time outdoors.

In her downtime, she was an avid reader, loved jigsaw, Crossword and Sudoku puzzles and listening to country music. She took pride in being able to cook, clean and care for herself and her home until her early 90’s.

Muriel is survived by her children: Faye (Dale) Bird, Harry (Kathy) Joles Jr., Cindy (Dave) Walton, and Susan (Mike Welch) Joles; grandchildren, Stephanie (Jamie) Anderson, Lacy Bird, Tyler (Samantha) Bird, Katelyn Bird, Krissy (Mike Cronk) Blaser, Zhanae, Garrett and Tretten Joles, Heather Stoffel, Sarah (Bruce) Weiss, Nicole Borth, Brody (Jacque Gundlach) Borth, and Johnathon Clark; 12 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Joles Sr.; parents, Maude Austreng and Clarence Austreng; siblings, Charles Austreng, Irene (Earl) McIntyre, Stanley (Shirley) Austreng, and Lyle (Helen) Austreng; great-great-grandson, Emmett Olson; and many other relatives and friends.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 11, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Boyceville, WI, with Pastor Brad Peterson officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30-11:00 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be at Tiffany Cemetery in Boyceville, Wisconsin.

To share a memory, please visit obituaries at www.olsonfuneral.com.