HOUGHTON – Joyce Marie (Saari) Tolksdorf, 84, of West Houghton passed away after a long and courageous battle facing numerous strokes and other ailments on June 26, 2018, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. She was born in Hancock, Michigan, in August of 30, 1933, to Olaf Saari and Elizabeth Anna (Harry) Saari. She was preceded in death by her husband Joachim Tolksdorf, her brothers Doug (Eloise) Saari, Robert (Doris) Saari, Ronald (Lorraine) Saari and Fredrick her infant brother.
She is survived by her children, son Gary (Marci Vivian) Tolksdorf, daughter Lori Tolksdorf and son Glen (Gretchen) Tolksdorf and by her Grandchildren, Jacquelyn, Stephanie, Jonathan and Grant. She is also, survived by many numerous nieces and nephews. Joyce was a loving mother and grandmother.
One of her main goals in life was to make sure all of her children received a college education, she always instilled the thought in her children that they would always be going to college. She was successful in that goal, with all three of her children receiving six different college degrees. And even after her children were older she would always help in any way that she could.
This was the same for her grandchildren. She would always be do something special for her family, from stopping by with treats, to making Pasties, Beef Rouladen and Goulash (favorite dishes of the family). She always made sure to help her children through many of life’s major events.
One of her favorite dessert dishes was Stollen, a light German Fruitcake made at Christmas time, which was a labor-intensive endeavor she enjoyed doing for her family. Joyce was the definition of the word selfless. She always did more for others, than she would do for herself.
Joyce always loved to help people, so after her children had grown and moved from home, she worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant for 32 years. Her work included Private Duty Nursing, Superior Home Nursing and many years at Cypress Manor in Hancock. She always deeply cared for the people that she took care of, by going out of her way to help them.
She would bring treats for her patients and would even buy them special gifts, just to brighten their day. Joyce would also try to brighten her co-workers day by bringing treats and candies for them to work. In her personal life, she always had a love of animals, from her cats Goldie, Coco and Sassy, to the Black Lab she had when she was younger.
She even had a pet chipmunk in the backyard that she got to trust her to take food right from her hand. She also maintained a spotless house; cleaning even when we couldn’t tell anything was dirty. She was always painting, gardening and working in the yard, to keep her home looking beautiful.
She took pride in her home and the work that she did to maintain it. There will be a visitation for friends and family members at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Hancock on Wednesday, June 27 from 6:00 – 7:00 PM. Burial will take place at a later time at the Forest Hill Cemetery of Houghton.
To view Joyce’s obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit www. memorialchapel.net The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes of Hancock have been assisting the family with the arrangements.
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