Joyce Meekma

A kind and gentle soul, Joyce Meekma, age 80 of Newfolden, MN, passed away on Sunday, August 4, 2024 at Sanford Medical Center, Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN, with Pastor David Jahn and Pastor David Fish officiating.
Burial will follow at the Folden Cemetery in Newfolden, MN.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Monday, August 12, 2024 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also take place one hour prior to the funeral service on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Joyce Elaine Wery was born on July 3, 1944 in Daggett, MI, the daughter of Roy and Dorothy (DeGrave) Wery. She graduated from the Carney Powers High School in Carney Powers, MI, in 1963.

Joyce attended Bay de Noc Community College in Escanaba, MI, and later obtained her teaching certificate from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI, in 1966.

Joyce’s first teaching assignment was located in Waukegan, IL, where she met her future nephew and niece, Melvin Pervis Jr. and Debbie Meekma Brothers. Any time conversation came up in class came up in farming, two little hands were raised to describe their uncle, Glenn who farmed in Northwest Minnesota.

For Thanksgiving of 1966, Joyce didn’t have a ride home. She was invited to have Thanksgiving dinner with some of the local Meekma family. Peter Meekma called his son, Glenn and strongly encouraged him to come to Waukegan for Thanksgiving dinner. Little did Glenn know that this
was a set-up by his father, sister, and sister-in-law to meet the new school teacher, Joyce. On July 9, 1967 Joyce and Glenn were united in marriage at the Wilson Seventh Day Adventist
Church in Wilson, MI. Their first home together was in Lake Bronson, MN. In December of 1969, they made their home in Newfolden, MN, where Joyce resided until her death.

Extreme joy was upon their household in the late summer of 1968 with the birth of their son, Glenn Jr. Additional joy arrived in the Spring of 1972 with the birth of their daughter, Jodi.

Through the years she and Glenn enjoyed gardening together, where she had as many as five gardens at one time. She enjoyed canning, cooking, baking, entertaining, sewing, and knitting. She and Glenn loved to travel. Some of the places they visited was Arkansas, Washington state, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kansas, and Michigan. She won a trip for the two of them to vacation in the West End Bahamas.

After caring for children as a teacher, Joyce transitioned to Consumer Counselor for 30 years with Hanson Boarding Home in Thief River Falls. In 2016 Joyce retired after medical
complications made it impossible to continue working.

Joyce’s faith in God was of great importance to her. She was always willing to share with those that wanted to have religious discussions, answering questions through the study of the Bible. Joyce touched many lives. She will be remembered as a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to many people. Joyce will be missed by all.

Joyce was preceded in death by her loving daughter, Jodi; her parents and ten of her twelve siblings.

Joyce is survived by her husband, Glenn of Newfolden, MN; son, Glenn Jr. “Chip” (Gina) Meekma of Buchanan, MI; grandchildren, Victoria Meekma and Mitchell Meekma; sisters, Karen Ketola and Frances Cline; sisters-in-law, Judy Pervis and Linda Banfe; special nephew, “Bobby” Brian Meekma; and numerous special nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and good friends.

Family condolences may be sent to www.johnsonfuneralservice.com