Joyce Benzer Johnson

JOYCE GOLDYN BENZER JOHNSON, age 84 of Iron River, Michigan, died Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at the North Star Health System in Iron River, Michigan. She was born June 27, 1926, the daughter of the late Stanley and Sylvia (Jensen) Benzer. She was preceded in death by brothers Robert, Stanley, and Richard Benzer and sister Merrilyn Benzer. Joyce attended Iron River schools graduating in 1944 from Iron River High School where she was active as a cheerleader and in the sports programs. Upon graduating, she went to work in Milwaukee, WI to aid in the World War II effort, and then attended Northern Michigan University in Marquette graduating in 1949 with a B.S. in Physical Education and with a minor in English. While at NMU she was a cheerleader, very active in the sports programs, and a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. Upon graduation from NMU, Joyce taught physical education in Hancock, MI for two years until her marriage to Jim Johnson in 1951. She was one of the first counselors at Camp Batawagama in Iron River, Michigan, taught school in Iron River for several years, and was instrumental in the development of the Iron River Playground Program. In 1967, Joyce and Jim left Iron River and moved their family to Farmington, MO. While in Farmington, Joyce pursued additional education at Southeast MO State University to become an elementary school teacher. She taught in Farmington for several years. She and Jim then moved to Toole, Utah and from there to Bellefonte, PA, and then back to Land O’ Lakes, WI. They finally retired to Iron River and lived at Camp Lake. They enjoyed all of their moves and meeting different people though they missed their family and old friends. Joyce was an avid Packer fan, a Brownie and Girl Scout leader, a member St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church, the Red Hats, the Beta Omega Tau sorority, and the 20th Century Club, serving as advisor for 20th Century Juniors. Joyce was the beloved and devoted wife of James A. Johnson of Iron River for 59 years. Beloved mother of James (Lois Key) of Sandusky, OH; Barbara (Tim Gegg) of St. Louis, MO; Nancy (Bill Amsden) of Farmington, MO; and Kathy (Glen Miatech) of Iron River, MI. Beloved grandmother of Kelly (Rusty Schoewe), James, and Kasey Johnson, Tyler and Spencer Gegg, Cody and Dustin Amsden, and Megan and Seth Miatech, and great grandmother of Alexandra and Gage Schoewe. She was a wonderful aunt to many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews whom she loved like her own children. Joyce was a beloved friend to many and was lovingly called mom by all of her children’s friends as she welcomed them into her home. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Her greatest joy was spending time with her children and grandchildren and, not watching, but participating in their lives. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 6, 2010 from 11 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. at Jacobs Funeral Home in Iron River, Michigan. Funeral Service will be Friday, August 6, 2010 at 1 p.m. at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church of Caspian with the Reverend Norman Clisch, Pastor, to offer the Mass of Christian Burial. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Wykon Athletic Booster Club Inc, Friends of Camp Batawagama, Iron County Historical Museum, or the Northwoods Animal Shelter.