She was born February 24, 1937 in Warren, MN to Edmund and Evelyn (Westman) Andeen. Three weeks after birth, her mother died. Joyce looked forward to meeting with her in Heaven. As a result, Joyce was raised by grandparents, aunts & uncles. Her education progressed from a 1 room schoolhouse, to Minneapolis Minnehaha Academy HS, (while in high school, her Dad married a widower, Gladys, and Joyce became a step-sister to Marlyce, Ruth Ann, and Joseph), and lastly graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She then worked at a Minneapolis hospital. Also after college, Joyce met engineering student, Roger Bjerk, whom she married 12/26/1960. Then they moved to Illinois for his career at Caterpillar, raised a family, and recently celebrated 60 precious years of marriage.
Surviving are her husband, Roger of Edelstein, 5 wonderful children, Nathan (Pamela) Bjerk of Lacon, Sara (Brett) Johnson of Chenoa, Anita (Steven) Booker of Tremont, Ellen Bjerk of Peoria Heights and Carl Bjerk of Edelstein. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, step-sister Ruth Ann Johnson, and step-brother Joseph Lundberg.
She was preceded in death by her parents, step-mother, step-sister Marlyce Walker and great-grandson Brennan.
Joyce worked part-time at a hospital and nursing homes, but most importantly was wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She enjoyed Bible study, singing, sewing, art, crafts, gardening, livestock and cooking for others. Joyce was receptive to adventure! Included were camping trips to: Minnesota Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Isle Royale, Canada, Rocky Mountains, and Lake Michigan. She loved attending churches in the Peoria area including First Covenant, Baptist, and currently Grace Presbyterian.
A private family visitation and funeral service will occur January 11, 2021 with burial to follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, IL.
Memorials may be made to the Apostolic Christian Skylines Nursing Home. Online condolences may be submitted to www.woolsey-wilton.com
Joyce's family would like very much to thank the administrators and staff at Apostolic Christian Skylines Nursing Home for their tender care and attention to Joyce during her illness and decline with Alzheimer’s disease. We cannot express enough our appreciation for all the efforts in coordinating countless window visits, phone calls, reading mom her devotions, and providing the loving touch that we were largely unable to give her ourselves during most of the last 10 months due to Covid-19 nursing home restrictions. We are so grateful for the kindness, compassion, and quality of care that mom received while at ACS.
Roger would also like the thank the staff of Heartland Health Care Center in Henry, IL who cared for Joyce during the first months of her transition from hospital into the nursing home environment late 2019. Many family visits were enjoyed, and special family accommodations were appreciated.
Joyce was a beautiful person, both inside and out; she will be missed by so many fortunate friends and family whose lives she touched and made better by serving and giving just as Christ, her Lord and Savior, taught us to do.
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