Joyce Arbutus Franzoi

Joyce was born on Nov. 19, 1927, in Marinette, Wis. to Reuben and Mae (Carlson) Bergdahl. The family moved to Kingsford and Joyce graduated from Kingsford High School in 1946 and soon earned her diploma at the Upper Peninsula Beauty Academy and began working as a beautician in Iron Mountain.

Joyce first met Louis at the house that her older sister was renting from Louis’ parents and when the two met again a few days later outside the Kresge’s Store in downtown Iron Mountain they went on their first date at the Braumart Theater. Joyce and Louis were married at the Lutheran Church on Sept. 18, 1948, which was also Louis’ birthday.

During their childhood, her children were awakened every school morning by their mother shouting up the stairs “Daylight in the swamp!!!” Perhaps more fondly, they also recall that whenever their mother would get excited about something (which was often!), she would exclaim, “Holy Mackinaws!”

After lovingly raising her three children, Joyce worked as head cashier at ShopKo until her retirement.

During their 36 years in Florida, Joyce enjoyed golfing and knitting warm clothes for her grandchildren “up north” and she continued to bowl in a local league into her late 80s.

One of Joyce’s essential qualities was her love of children, which she retained even through her long ordeal with Alzheimer’s.

Joyce was preceded in death by her mother; father; brother, Roland and sister Virginia, and daughter-in-law Cheryl Figg.

She is survived by her husband and three children, Susan DeVet of Palm Bay, Fla. Stephen Franzoi of Mequon, Wis. and Randy Franzoi of Erlanger , Ky.; son-in-law, Jim DeVet, daughter-in-law, Jennifer Franzoi; brothers, Clayton and Calvin Bergdahl; six grandchildren, and six great -grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at a later date due to COVID-19.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Joyce’s name to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at alzfdn.org.