Joyce Virginia Seeke

BESSEMER, Mich. - Joyce Virginia Seeke, 94, of Bessemer, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024.

Joyce was born on July 27, 1929, in Wakefield, a daughter of Weitta and Senia (Hendrickson) Mars. Joyce grew up in Ramsay and was always proud to be from there. She attended Ramsay School and graduated from A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer, in 1947.

On Dec. 3, 1949, Joyce married Willard John Seeke. They had 72 wonderful years together in marriage.

Joyce worked in the X-ray department at the Divine Infant Hospital in Wakefield, until it closed. After leaving Divine Infant, Joyce worked at the fish pole factory at the old Harding School. She then gained employment at the Gogebic County Courthouse. She retired from Gogebic County in 1994, at age 65.

For 25 years, Joyce and Will wintered at their home in Port Charlotte, Florida. In their retirement, they traveled in their several motorhomes to every state except Hawaii. They drove to Alaska and back two times to visit their daughter, Wanda. They made it to all the Canadian Provinces and went to Mexico and Europe multiple times.

Her faith and relationship in Jesus Christ were always strong and first in her life. Her prayers have been answered as she has gone to be with Jesus.

Joyce will always be remembered for her elegant beauty that she kept well into her late 80s, before dementia stole everything from her.

Joyce was preceded by her parents; her husband, Will, on Sept. 13, 2021; a sister, Helen Peters and husband, Gene; and a brother, Eugene Nikari and wife, Gloria.

She is survived by two daughters, Deborra Bonovetz and husband, Joe, of Bessemer, and Wanda Fisher and husband, Pat, of Erie, Colorado; two grandsons, Jonah Bonovetz and wife, Laura, of Negaunee, with great-grandsons, Bode, Chase and Broc, and Taylor Bonovetz and wife, Erin, of Allegan, Michigan, with great-granddaughters, Samantha and Reagan; and her sister-in-law, Nelda Lee and husband, Donald, of Sussex, Wisconsin.

A family service will be held during the Fourth of July in Bessemer.

The family would like to thank all the wonderful people at the Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield, that provide loving care day in and day out, to everyone living there.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family with arrangements. To send online condolences or to share a memory, please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.