Joyce M. Froehlich

STEVENS POINT, WI - Joyce M. Froehlich, 89, formerly of Rockford, IL fell asleep peacefully on the evening of Friday, February 3, 2023 at North Ridge Assisted Living in Stevens Point, WI.  On the morning of February 4, 2023 we who loved her learned that we must wait upon the Lord to awaken her on resurrection day.

Joyce was born Thursday, October 12, 1933 in Bushnell, FL the daughter of Carl and Rosa (Jerkins) McClamma.  She was the middle of three girls. Joyce grew up in Florida.  She was exceptional in school and graduated from high school when she was only 16 years old.  She desired to be a nurse but had to wait a couple of years before she was accepted into nursing school.  Joyce's sister, Jewell, married a man from Illinois and they moved to Rockford, IL.  Joyce moved in with them and entered the Rockford Memorial School of Nursing in the early 1950's.  Joyce graduated from nursing school in 1954 and began a career in nursing that spanned over 39 years.

Also in the early 1950's, Joyce met Bob Froehlich at the 1st Baptist Church of Rockford.  Bob was known to drive several young ladies home after church, but he liked Joyce and would take her home as the last stop on his "route", so they could spend more time together.  Bob and Joyce fell in love and were married in that same church on December 14, 1954.  Together they raised 2 daughters, Lauzanne and Letha and one son Karl.

Joyce was a member of the Eastern Star and was an active 4H Leader.  She was a farm wife and kept a large garden.  She was known to put a "southern drawl" on her cooking and meals would sometimes include things like fried okra and "dirty rice".  Grandkids also fondly remember her dried apple, pear and banana slices and a special treat of "fruit leather" fresh from a food dehydrator or homemade popsicles on hot summer days.

Joyce was a good seamstress and loved to crochet.  She made clothes and other handmade gifts for her kids, grandkids and others.  She even made a custom sized bee keeper suit for a grandson who wanted to "help" harvest the honey from the bee hives on their farm.  She treated the stings when the bees found their way around the suit too. She was a comforter and balanced out "Grandpa Tease" for the grandkids.

Joyce loved going out to eat, playing pinochle and drinking coffee with friends. She may have been responsible for at least one granddaughter's caffeine habit as well.  (Grandma memorably served a granddaughter a few drops of coffee in a creamer cup at a restaurant and she was hooked).  Joyce enjoyed the beauty of God's creation through watching birds and traveling.

In their retirement years, Bob and Joyce sold their home and traveled the country in a 5th wheel style travel trailer for nearly a decade.  They made many fond memories with dear friends Vaugn and Judy Johnson of Beloit, WI and Lionel and Sara Smith on the campus of Christian Wings for the World (a training center for missionary pilots near Ironton, MO).

Bob and Joyce were faithfully married through better and worse, in sickness and in health for over 63 years.  Upholding their marriage covenant, they only parted when Bob died on October 23, 2018.

Although her Scottish heritage would occasionally shine through and she would speak her mind; the legacy Joyce leaves is one of care and nonjudgmental love for people.  She taught her kids about hospitality through things like hosting exchange students.  She taught her grandkids about gentleness by showing them how to feed baby lambs and goats.   She hosted people when they needed a place to stay or a meal to eat.  She will be remembered for "being there" when her family and friends needed her.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, 1 sister (Jewell), and 1 grandson (Zachary).  She is survived by her son, Karl (Connie) Froehlich of DeKalb and daughters, Lauzanne (David) Benedict of Knox City, MO and Letha (Steve) Taylor of Wisconsin; 10 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; 1 sister, Carolyn Shaw and close-as-family friends Clint (Rose) Wooten of Springfield, TN and Lionel (Sara) Smith of Ironton, MO and Vaugn (Judy) Johnson of Beloit, WI.

A funeral service will be held at the Christenson Funeral Home (925 3rd Ave. Rockford, IL 61104) on Saturday, February 11, 2023 beginning at 3:00 PM.  Pastor Michael Hoffman of the Oregon Church of God will officiate. Visitation hours will be held at the funeral home from 1:00 PM until the time of service.  Joyce will be laid to rest privately. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to "the family of Joyce Froehlich", a memorial will be established in her honor.

The Christenson Funeral Home- 925 3rd Ave. Rockford, IL 61104 is assisting the Froehlich family.  To share a condolence or inquire of more information please call 815-965-1600 or visit www.rockfordfunerals.com

See Link to Joyce Froehlich Video Tribute - https://www.tributeslides.com/videos/embedded_video/9LQ8BBFXTCZJLM8Z