Joyce Fritzke

Joyce Elaine Fritzke, 82, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, August 16, 2013 at Lakeland Hospital. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 at First Baptist Church with the Pastor Marlo Fritzke officiating. Burial will be later date. Friends may visit from 10-11 AM at First Baptist Church. Those wishing to share a memory of Joyce online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Joyce was born August 25, 1930 to Fred and Lena (Paff) Kopf in Rock Springs, WI. She graduated from Reedsburg High School in Reedsburg, WI. She worked at the Hanksgraft Factory in Reedsburg before meeting and getting married to Rev. H. Oscar Fritzke on June 12, 1953. As a pastor’s wife, she served alongside him, faithfully working, singing solos or in a choir, and doing whatever needed to be done in order for ministry to get accomplished. They served in pastorates in Saskatchewan, Alberta, North Dakota, and here in St. Joseph, MI. Joyce worked at the Heathkit plant on the line while they lived in St. Joe. In 1988, they retired and moved to Kelowna, British Columbia. When her grandson Ty needed her, they moved to Calgary to live with her daughter Mardell and son-in-law Gary. It was her pleasure to watch and help raise him, even after Mardell died. In 2011, she moved back to St. Joseph. It was her pride and joy to live in the Port Street apartments. Joyce loved to grow flowers, can fruit, make chocolate chip cookies, have candy available, do word puzzles, read books, watching game shows and good preaching, and travel. She enjoyed playing games, especially Scrabble, Rook, and Skip Bo. She would play to win! Family was important to her. Joyce is survived by her son Rev. Marlo and Erika Fritzke; grandchildren, Joshua, Joseph, Abigail, Hannah, and Ty Sorensen; her sister Wilma and brother Harold. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 54 years, her daughter, her son Randall Joel in childbirth, and her brothers William, Walter, Don, and Edward. She will be greatly missed until we see her again in heaven. Joyce had a quiet giving spirit, supporting others in missions. Memorials can be given to Christian Involvement in Service (CIS Ministries) or InterVarsity- Joshua Fritzke at Western Michigan University.