Joyce Maxine Wentzel

Joyce Wentzel passed away on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at Pleasant View Good Samaritan Society in St. James. Joyce Maxine Bowers was born June 24, 1936 in St. James the daughter of Milo Mike and Helen (Curry) Bowers. Joyce grew up in St. James and was part of the Class of 1954 at St. James High School. She was a cheerleader for the State Champion Football Team that year. She has been the life of the party for class reunions ever since. She worked at Scheer-Tumico as a welder when she met Arvid Pete Wentzel. The couple married in St. James on June 30, 1963. They made their home in St. James, Granite Falls, Pipestone and back to St. James in 1972. Joyce was a stay at home mom while raising their 2 daughters, Beth and Heather. She went back to school once the girls were in high school and earned her LPN degree in 1988. She worked in home health care, both her and Pete were charter members of the St. James Volunteer Ambulance Service, worked as a para in the elementary school, and helped Pete in the insurance office. Joyce was also active in the community working with Moms in touch prayer group, volunteering at the old hospital, nursing home and MCHS-St. James. She enjoyed singing, sewing, and being her families greatest cheerleader at school events. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the joy of her life. She is survived by her husband Arvid Pete Wentzel, daughters Beth (Randy) Henderson and Heather Wentzel all of St. James, grandchildren; Brandon Rynchek, Alex Henderson, Ross (Katie) Henderson, Ahnah Henderson, Sam Henderson, great-grandchildren; Becker Friedrich, Aliviah Friedrich and a set of twins due in October. Also surviving are her sister Delores (Arnie) Bottem of Litchfield, In-laws; Arden (Carolyn) Wentzel of Janesville, WI, Ardith (Tory) Nelson of Nicolet, Dan Wolf of Apple Valley, Dorothea Wentzel of Kansas City, MO and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Alvin (Janice) Bowers, sister-in-law Arlynne Wolf and brother-in-law Arnold Wentzel. Visitation 1 10:00 am - 11:00 am Tuesday, May 29, 2018 St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, St. James 315 9th Street S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 11:00 am Tuesday, May 29, 2018 St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, St. James 315 9th Street S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information Mt. Hope Cemetery, St. James S. CR 27 St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 At a later date. Fellowship Please join the family for lunch following the service.