JOYCE E. GOHLKE

Joyce was born Oct. 5, 1929 at McRae Hospital to Ingvar N.K. and Mildred (Turner) Larsen in Alpena. After graduating from Alpena High School in 1947, Joyce continued her education at St. Olaf College in Minnesota.

On Jan. 27, 1951 she married Walter Gohlke at Grace Lutheran Church in Alpena. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Alpena. Joyce was head housekeeper for Fletcher Motel and night desk clerk. She too enjoyed the role of hostess for The Grove. Shifting occupations later in life she became a dental assistant for Dr. Robert Hatch and later retired from there. She enjoyed talking on the phone, corresponding with friends and family, volunteering in her community and church, shopping, thrifting, entertaining, travel, walking, biking, swimming and of course anything to do with the Alpena Wildcats.

Mrs. Gohlke is survived by her three children, Kathryn (Ronald) Howe of Egg Harbor, New Jersey, Karl (Stephanie) Gohlke of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Krysten (David) Nichols of Naperville, Illinois, One sister, Eleanor Coddington of Alpena, two brothers Robert (Loretta) Larsen of Alpena and Dick (Nancy) Larsen of Rochester Hills, Michigan, seven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of over 50 years, Walter, and an infant sister Mary Mildred Larsen (1941).

Family will receive friends for visitation at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Friday Aug. 7, 2020 from 11 a.m. until the time of funeral service at 3 p.m. with Rev. Joshua Schultz officiating. In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 351 Wilson St., Alpena, Michigan, Grace Lutheran Church, 119 W. Dunbar St., Alpena, Michigan., or Leer Lutheran Church, 10430 Leer Road, Posen, Michigan. Online condolences may be registered at www.mcwilliamsfh.com or visit Joyce’s life story at www.lifestorynet.com.