Joyce was born August 21, 1924, the middle child of 6 children. Her parents were Charles Edison Fritts, and Charlotte (Redenbach) Fritts. As a lifelong resident of Ann Arbor, Joyce attended Bach Elementary, Slauson Junior High and graduated from Ann Arbor High School. She worked at King Seeley during WWII. She also worked at Western Auto Hardware Store, Sears & Roebuck Co. store, and was a cook at Ann Arbor City Women’s Club for many years. She also was a cook at Guy Hollerin's restaurant at the Holiday Inn North Campus until retiring.
Joyce married Russell Raymond Wiedmeyer on July 25, 1944. They built their home in Pittsfield Township, Ann Arbor, MI, where they raised their two daughters, Mary Jane Eller, and Nancy Ellen Hardesty.
Joyce welcomed, and cherished five grandchildren, Nathan Daniel Gubachy, Brandon Jeremy Gubachy (Jessica), Shannon Michelle Hardesty, Scott Jeremy Hardesty (Lisa) and Jared Steven Eller (Kimberly), along with seven great-grandchildren, Danielle Savannah Gubachy, Sarah Elizabeth Gubachy, Jennalyn Olivia Eller, Abigail Mae Eller, Bradyn Skylar Gaines, Charlotte Amelia Eller and Violet Audrey Eller.
Joyce loved to cook and garden. She had beautiful flowers in her yard and especially loved the spring tulips, daffodils, lilacs and forsythia.
Joyce was a 4-H leader and Girl Scout troop leader as her daughters were growing up. She supported her family’s love of animals with a number of dogs, cats, horses, and even pigs, rabbits and chickens.
Joyce and Russell enjoyed family camping trips and traveling together, occasionally to Florida, but especially vacations to their own little piece of God’s acreage in Lewiston, MI. Joyce loved taking trips up to northern Michigan, and would often visit her sister’s and brother's cabins in Johannesburg, MI and, Lewiston, MI, and also her youngest sister’s home in Sterling , MI.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, her husband (Feb. 2001), her sisters, Marian F. Meunier, and Margaret Eaglin, and her brother, Louis Fritts. Also, by the following sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws, George Meunier, Lou Eaglin, Evelyn & Clarence Kitchen, Orville & Maxine Wiedmeyer, and Roland & Marion Wiedmeyer.
Joyce is survived by her daughters Mary and Nancy, sisters, Elma Fritts of Sterling, MI, and Janet E. Pavlik (Stephen) of Sterling, MI, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, brother-in-law, Alvin Wiedmeyer (Sherry), of Tampa, FL., and sister-in-law, Vivian Fritts 0f Ann Arbor, MI, and many nieces and nephews.
Joyce was a long time member of the Bethlehem United Church of Christ in Ann Arbor, MI.
The family is thankful for all the kindness and support over the past 12 years, starting with Dr. Persky at U of M Turner Geriatric Clinic, U of M Turner Geriatric Resource Center, Hillside Terrace Assisted Living (Ann Arbor), Northville Senior Living (Northville) and finally Compassionate Care Hospice. You are all wonderful, caring people.
A memorial service will be held on April 20, 2013, at 11:00am at Bethlehem United Church of Christ.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and Compassionate Care Hospice.
THANKS MOM, WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN.
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