Joyce Lapham

Joyce Lapham loved playing bingo, working in her flower garden, and travelling. Most of all, however, she loved her family, and devoted her life to caring for those she loved. Joyce’s friendly smile, generous spirit, and kind heart will live on in the memories of all those whose lives she touched; she was deeply loved, and will be deeply missed.

The 1930s were in many ways a somber decade, sandwiched between the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and World War II. For proud parents Fredrick and Helen (Weber) Fuss, however, these difficult years were brightened by the birth of their daughter, Joyce. Joyce was born at home on March 15, 1937, and shared her birth year with the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge, the creation of the National Basketball League (NBL), and the explosion of the Hindenburg.

The Fuss family lived in Watson Township, Michigan, where they eked a living from a family farm. Joyce was their first child, and in the years to come was joined by seven siblings: Chuck, Tom, Jerry, Joan, Mary Jo, Doug, and Jane. Their living conditions were difficult by today’s standards – the house had neither electricity nor an indoor bathroom. There were benefits to living on a farm, however: for example, young Joyce was allowed to raise her own pet lamb!

During her school years, Joyce enjoyed playing basketball and softball, singing in the choir, and participating in the F.H.A. She also played the organ in the Catholic church where her family attended mass every Sunday. In addition to her studies, Joyce also held a part-time job, and started working at a local grocery store when she was 15 years old.

Joyce graduated from Martin High School in 1954. The following year, on May 14, 1955, she married her high school sweetheart, Jim Lapham. As the years went by, Joyce and Jim were blessed with three children, whom they named Renee, Ronda, and Ryan. Joyce was a wonderful homemaker, and the whole family looked forward to her cinnamon rolls, buns, and scallop potatoes. She also worked outside the home in the family heating and cooling business, where she was responsible for keeping the books. Joyce and Jim both enjoyed travelling, and memorable family trips included a trip to Yellowstone National Park.

In her free time, Joyce enjoyed sewing, flower gardening, and decorating for the holidays. She also had a competitive streak – watch out when she played bingo! Joyce and Jim were able to do lots of travelling over the years, visiting destinations as far ranging as Spain, England, Hawaii, Africa, Jamaica, and Costa Rica. They also had a motor home, in which they explored the continental United States. Closer to home, Joyce could often be spotted curled up with one of her favorite books.

Friendly, outgoing, and kind hearted, Joyce was a devoted wife, a loving mother and grandmother, and a loyal friend. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her many friends and family members.

Mrs. Joyce M. Lapham died on June 17, 2013, at the age of 76. Joyce’s family includes her husband, Jim; her children, Ronda (Tim) Beeke and Ryan (Michelle Hannink) Lapham; her grandchildren, Nick and Nate Boersma, Zackary (Maria) Beeke, Tyanna (fiancé Eric Beebe) Beeke, Rylee (fiancé Logan Meade) Lapham, and Kali Lapham; her great-grandchildren, Autumn, Hannah, Sophia, Jayce, and Isabella; her siblings, Thomas Fuss, Jerry Fuss, Joan (Bill) Germain, Maryjo (Dan) Heckman, Doug (Penny) Fuss, and Jane (Steve) Drewyor; and many other relatives. Joyce was preceded in death by her daughter, Renee Boersma; and her brother, Chuck Fuss.

Visit with Joyce’s family and friends from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday, June 21, at Life Story Funeral Homes, Plainwell, 120 S. Woodhams (685-5881), where a funeral service will immediately follow at 11 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to Wings of Hope Hospice. Visit Joyce’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can learn more about her life, share a favorite memory or photo, and sign the online guestbook.