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We are sad to share that our mother, Joyce May Wirgau, died on Aug. 25, 2026, at the age of 97. She was active until her last day and died at her home, which was a wish of hers. She was born on March 18, 1929, in Leer, Michigan to Arnold and Alice (Mielke) Christensen. She was raised on the Christensen farm in Leer and graduated from Alpena High School in 1947 and went on to earn her teaching certificate through what was then called County Normal. She married Arnold (Bud) Wirgau on July 24, 1948 at Leer Lutheran Church, where she had been baptized and confirmed.
Mom and Dad moved to southern Michigan for work and started their family. They lived in Wyandotte and then Goodrich for 16 years before relocating back to Leer in 1967. With a houseful of eight children, they raised chickens and cattle and always grew a large garden to feed their big family. Mom was never one to sit idle and wore many hats throughout her 97 years. While her children were young, she was very active with her church teaching Sunday School, selling Avon and baking everything from scratch. Her love of teaching brought her back to Long Rapids Elementary where she was a teacher's aide and then the school librarian. Later in life, she went back to school to earn her certification as a nurse assistant. She also had a side hustle catering weddings. Mom served as the church secretary for several years and was very active with WELCA and singing with the Long Rapids Chorus. She held many other positions for the churches in Leer and in Hadley, Michigan. She cherished her time quilting with the ladies at church, where they made thousands of quilts for those in need.
Her passions were quilting, the Tigers, reading, gardening (actually doing anything outdoors) and playing games (especially Spitzer) with her family, friends, and grandchildren. She was well known for her creation of beautiful quilts. Every family member received at least one quilt, (including every grandchild, great-grandchild, and great-great grandchild, nieces and nephews, friends and neighbors). She loved to travel and traversed the United States multiple times visiting her children and enjoying family gatherings. She was also able to travel to Italy and Norway.
Mom leaves behind to cherish her memory her children Penny (Dan) Hogan, Neil (Melody) Wirgau, Mary Lou Tunnicliffe, Mark Wirgau, LuAnn (Joe) Sills, Karen Wirgau, Sharon (David) Fritz, and Amy Goodson. She is also survived by 19 grandchildren Joel (Sarah), Jill (Dan), Joshua (Ana), Jacob (Allegra), Matthew (Jean), Rebekah (Rob); Loren (Nicole), Ryan (Johnna); Tom (Sulyn), Kari (Wade), Jesse; Melissa (Bobby), Jennifer, Amanda, Christina (Richard), Elizabeth, Travis (Corinne); Derek (Kristin), Sarah (Kurtis). She is also survived by 30 great-grandchildren with one on the way and four great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bud, and sons-in-law John Joslin and Joe Tunnicliffe, grandson Kyle Wirgau, brother Guy (Judy) Christensen and sister Bertie Lou (Harold) Miller.
The family will host a viewing at McWilliams Funeral Home on Thursday, Sept. 3, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral service will be held on Friday, Sept. 4, at Leer Lutheran Church with viewing at 11 a.m. and services at noon. A luncheon will follow immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to Leer Lutheran Church or Leer Heritage Foundation.