Joy ‘Snooky’ Schlais

She was born August 20, 1927 in Amberg, WI to Peter and Amy (Fraker) McTrusty, the youngest of six children. Her father contracted TB and died when she was a year and a half. He gave her the nickname ‘Snooky’ and it stayed with her all through the years. She lived in the Amberg area all of her early years and graduated from Amberg High School in 1945. On December 28, 1946 she married Harold Schlais. They celebrated 61 years of marriage before his death on January 7, 2008. The couple had three children, Randy, Penny and Sherry. Snooky and Harold farmed in Pembine Twp., WI for approximately 10 years before Harold took a job with Interstate Welding Sales. The family moved to Marinette, WI for a year and then to Marquette, MI where they lived until 1989.

When her children were a little older Snooky entered the workforce. She worked as the financial secretary for Messiah Lutheran Church and then at Paine Webber before taking a job with the County of Marquette in the County Clerk’s office. She served as Deputy County Clerk until her retirement in 1986. In 1989, Snooky and Harold moved back to Pembine and lived there for 10 years before moving to an apartment in Kingsford.

Snooky was a member of Grace Lutheran Church of Pembine where she was a member of Senior Choir and Altar Guild. She was also a member of the Pembine Senior Citizens, American Legion Auxiliary #461 and was a 1st Armored Division Associate Member.

She loved her family and spending time with them. She and Harold loved to travel and made many trips throughout the country visiting friends and family along the way. She loved to bake and her delicious treats were always eagerly anticipated. She especially enjoyed her visits to the Islands Casino with her dear friend and neighbor Marge Bantle.

Snooky is survived by a son Randy (Judy Gotz) of Rhinelander, WI and daughters Penny Streeter and Sherry Labbe of Marquette, MI; four grandchildren: Joseph Schlais of Atlanta, GA, Lisa Schlais of Lansing, MI, Kristy (Matt) Godbout of Berlin, NH and Jeremy Labbe of Marquette, MI; four step-granddaughters: Marie (Will) Voskuhl, Alice (Chris) Wendt and LeeAnna Streeter of Marquette , MI and Sarah (Chad Coughlin) of Ishpeming, MI; 11 great-grandchildren: Layla and Laney Godbout, Logan (Rosemarie) Streeter, Aaron (Makenze) LaJoie, Emily (Chris) Sebeck, Sydney Voskuhl, Austin Wendt, Hannah Rosten, Ryan Voskuhl, Timothy Wendt and Phoebe Hendrickson; one great great granddaughter and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Harold, her brother and sisters: Everette (Carol) McTrusty, Florence (Glen) French, Laverne ‘Curly’ (Wayne) Nettleton, Serle (Robert) White and Elsie (Walter) Dooley; and brothers- and sisters-in-law: Elmer (Phine) Schlais, Clarence (Eunice) Schlais, Raymond Schlais, Ethel (George) Bierstaker and Evelyn (Don) McCorkle and a son-in-law Timothy Streeter.

Visitation will be on Monday July 7, 2025, at Grace Lutheran Church in Pembine, WI, from 10am until the time of her Funeral Service at 11am. Pastor Gene Wickman is officiating. Burial will be in Pembine Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred for Grace Lutheran Church.

Roubal Funeral Home in Wausaukee is assisting her family with arrangements.