Joyce E. Burgess, 81, Algoma, died peacefully at home on July 30, 2012 with her family at her bedside. She was born March 22, 1931 in Algoma to the late Peter and Ruby (Meverden) Bathke.
Joyce graduated from the Algoma High School in 1949. On Aug 30th, 1949 Joyce married Robert D. Burgess in Algoma. Joyce had a long adventurous life which included living in Alaska, where she and her husband Bob owned several businesses, including the White Cab Company (Ketchikan) and the White Elephant Soda Shop (Cordova). From there they lived in Pembine, WI; Algoma; and Kewaunee. Joyce worked for several area businesses; Leyse Aluminum, Monarch ware, Plumbers, Vollrath Co. Joyce and Bob owned several taverns; The Kewaunee Bowl, The Banks Bar, and the Deadwood Saloon.
Along the way, they took time to learn how to skydive, own several airplanes and owned the Why Knot Charter Business, in later years, Joyce read just about every book in the Kewaunee and Algoma Public Library, was an avid Puzzler and loved spoiling her grandchildren, and great-grand Children - who knew her as "Grammy Great." She was a member of the Thunderbolds Sport Parachute Club and the "Joyce" Club.
She is survived by her five children Chari (Tom) Farin, Madison; WI; Toy (John) Adema, Denmark, WI; Robert (Laurie) Burgess, Algoma; Lori (Todd) Van Boxel, McDonough, GA; and Cory Burgess (special friend Kim Starr), McDonough, GA; 13 grandchildren, Heidi Haglin, Andrew Haglin, Philip Haglin; Joshua (Stevi) Adema; Jesse (Susan) Adema, Sydney (Spenser) Wright; Robert D. Burgess; Zachary (Jennifer) Burgess, Amber Burgess, Kelsey Van Boxel, Mackenzie Van Boxel; Price Burgess and Mason Burgess; 4 great grandchildren, Aiden, Alaina & Astella Adema and Addison Burgess; brothers and sisters, Shirley (Ken) Haack, Grace (Wayne) Keach, Robert (Michaelin) Bathke, David (Marsha) Bathke and Cheryl (Mark) Rankin, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Joyce Bathke, Algoma; Anne Dryden, Calif.; Charles Burgess, Washington, and Penny (Hank) Blum, Arizona; many nieces, nephews and their families. She was preceded in death by two grandchildren Krystal Van Boxel and Aarom Van Boxel, an infant brother and her brother John Bathke.
Family and friends may gather at the SCHINDRLE FUNERAL HOME, Algoma from 5 pm, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012 until the time of services at 7:30 pm with Father Robert Hoppe officiating. Private burial will take place at a later time.
Special thanks to Unity Hospice and nurse Nancy, nurse practitioner Katy Knipfer and the staff at North Shore Medical clinic and Dr. Dhimant Patel and the staff at the Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic.
Family and friends may sign the online guest book at http://www.schinderle.com/.
