Joyce Plewes

Joyce (Wicht) Plewes was born on November 19, 1918, in Minneapolis, Mn. When she was 4 years old her family moved to the Grand Rapids area. Following her High school graduation Joyce attended Davenport College, while there, she met the love of her life Lloyd Plewes of Zeeland. When they married in 1940, they moved to Zeeland, Mi. where they raised their 5 children and were very active in the Community. Joyce, was a member of Second Reformed Church since 1940, and served for many years as the Church Secretary. She worked for the Ottawa County Extension Service and also worked many years at Hope College in the Geology Dept. where she retired after 26 years. She loved working with the Hope students and hosted many of them in her home, especially those from foreign countries, for holidays and weekends when the school closed and they could not travel home. Her home was always open to friends and family, as she loved to cook and share great conversations around her dining table. Joyce was known for her quick wit, a kind and caring love for her family and friends, a wonderful mind that was always searching for new ideas through reading books, writing poems, and playing in a bridge group several times per week. Lloyd and Joyce shared a love for dancing to Big Band music, for the many who cleared the floor to watch them dance together, all would agree that they had mastered that art! She was a gracious hostess in her home and a faithful supporter in each of her children and grandchildren's lives. She was a Boy Scout Troop leader, a member of the Zeeland Women's Literary Club, Zeeland Historical Society, Zeeland Hospital Guild, and many book clubs. In her later years, with declining eye sight, she loved to daily listen to her books on tape. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd in 1994, parents, Fred and Rose Wicht, her 2 brothers, Fred and Robert, Mother in law, Della Kate Plewes, Son in law, Aubrey F. Mills, Grandson, Scott A. Plewes and Great Grandson, Zachary A. Kraai. She is survived by her 5 children: Thomas and Elizabeth Plewes of Annandale, Va., Rosemary and Tom Bloemsma of Sedona, Az. and Pentwater, Mi., Sally and Bill Gruppen of Zeeland, Alexander Plewes of Grand Rapids, and Lloyd and Gretchen Plewes of Byron Center. Grandchildren: Jeffery and Veronica Plewes, Virginia; Melissa and Carlos Lopez, Virginia; Marguerite Mills Zayas and Louis Zayas , New Jersey, Kathryn Mills and Andrew Dziadosz, Montana; Jodi and Kirk Kraai, Bill and Cindy Gruppen, Toby and Michelle Gruppen, Mike and Jenny Gruppen, Zeeland, Amber and Ted Frisbie, Colorado, Kristen and Andrew Nelson, Rockford, Jenna Plewes, Grandville, Joshua Plewes, Detroit. Great Grandchildren: Matthew Lopez, Josh Lopez, Andrew Zayas, Logan Zayas, Kylea and Jim Green, Jonathan Kraai, Madison Kraai and her fiancé Josh Blanton, Breanna Gruppen, Bryce Gruppen, Britta Gruppen, Brynzee Gruppen, Montana Lloyd, Coleton Lloyd, Gavin Lloyd, Luke Gruppen, Ella Gruppen, Alyssa Gruppen, Abigail Gruppen, Mason Frisbie, Bella Frisbie, Pierson Nelson. Great-Great Grandson- Deklen Green; sister, Joanne Bisbee of Jackson, sister-in-law, Cindy Wicht of Jackson, Mi., and several nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at Second Reformed Church, 225 East Central Ave, Zeeland with her grandson the Rev Tobin Gruppen and her niece Rev Diane Mugg officiating. Visitation with the Plewes Family will be from 10-11:15 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Her burial will be in the Zeeland Cemetery. Memorials may be made in her name to The Association for the Blind; Second Reformed Church or the Faith Hospice Center of Trillium Woods, in Byron Center. www.yntemafh.com

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Joyce Plewes

November 19, 1918 - May 5, 2015