Joyce Ann (Roelofs) Bulthuis

Joyce Ann Bulthuis, age 83, of Prinsburg, passed away Monday afternoon, August 12, at her residence.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, August 15, at First Christian Reformed Church in Prinsburg.  Interment will at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 16, at Holland Township Cemetery followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. at the First Christian Reformed Church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Central Minnesota Christian School. Thank you to the CentraCare Hospice team for their excellent care.  Arrangements are with Tri-County Funeral Home.  www.tricountyfuneral.com

Joyce was born on November 9, 1940, to Clarence and Sarah (Marcus) Roelofs in Prinsburg, Minnesota. Her father passed away when she was four months old.  She grew up in the Prinsburg community and received her education at Central Minnesota Christian School. After graduating, she worked as a dental assistant.

Joyce married Melvin Bulthuis on December 30, 1960, and they had three children: Michael, Michele, and Mary.  She helped her husband Mel with the fall harvest and delighted in mowing, gardening, and canning applesauce. Joyce’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her greatest blessing. She enjoyed cooking, baking, and serving them Sunday dinners with homemade pies.

In their empty nest years, Mel and Joyce camped in Northern Minnesota in the summer and wintered in Tucson, Arizona, for over twenty years. Their favorite travels included Europe, the Holy Land, and seeing the United States on their three-wheeled cycle.  Joyce was also a valued member of the Ladies' Bible Study and volunteered at the New 2 You Thrift Store and the Prinsburg Quilters.

Joyce is survived by her husband, Melvin; three children, Mike (Lenae) Bulthuis of Renville, Michele (Kevin) Boer of Hospers, Iowa, Mary (Mark) Utzig of McKinney, Texas; seven grandchildren: Elizabeth (Mark) Taatjes, Stephanie (Nic) Brouwer, Melanie (Nathan) Reichert, James (Becca) Boer, Matthew Boer, Sam (fiancé Madi) Utzig, Summer Utzig, and thirteen great-grandchildren: Landon, Jackson, and Reagan Taatjes, Ava, Emma, Carson, and Aubrey Brouwer, Peter, Henry, and Max Boer, Josiah, Gavin, and Marissa Reichert. Also surviving are her sister, Mavis Tebben, and sister-in-law, Lois Ryks, both of Prinsburg, along with other relatives and friends.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; stepfather, Leonard Stob, and brothers-in-law, Charles Bulthuis, Jerry Tebben, and Bernard Ryks.

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