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Joyce Uecker Obituary – 1/22/2022


Joyce Mary Uecker (Goerke), loving wife, mother, sister, and “Nana,” went home to be with Jesus and her Lynn Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022.

Visitation for Joyce will take place Friday, Jan. 28, 2022 from 4 to 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church of Buffalo, MN.

The funeral celebration of her faith and eternal life in Christ will be Saturday, Jan. 29 at 11 a.m., with visitation one hour prior to the service at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church of Buffalo.

Officiating will be Pastor Ryan Clark, and Joyce’s grandson, Pastor Peter Johnson. Cross bearers will be Pastor David, and Lucas and Grant Johnson.

 Casket bearers will be Peter Johnson, Allison Pfleghaar, Elias, Olivia, Caden Uecker, and Brandon Uecker.

Honorary casket bearers will be Christopher Pfleghaar, Stephanie Johnson, Lucas Johnson, Grant Johnson, Bonnie Uecker, Christine Stark, Darrell Uecker, and Larry Uecker.

A luncheon will follow at the church.

Interment will be at Lakeview Cemetery of Buffalo.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be gifted to Noah’s Ark Preschool at St John’s Ev. Lutheran Church.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Peterson Chapel of Buffalo.

Joyce was born the daughter of Arthur and Alice (Marohn) Goerke, Sept. 26, 1939, in Maple Lake, MN.

The Goerke family farm was a treasured place of her childhood, where she enjoyed both the hard work and simplicities of farm life.

She was baptized Oct. 22, 1939, attended parochial school, and confirmed her Lutheran faith June 1,1952, all at Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Middleville Township. She graduated from Howard Lake High School in 1957.

Joyce’s love for children and learning was nurtured at Concordia University-St. Paul, where she studied elementary education. She instilled the value of education in her family, as both daughters continued her dream and became educators.

Joyce was united in marriage to Ronald Uecker June 11, 1960, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. God blessed them with three children.

Joyce and Ron settled in Buffalo in 1971, and became faithful members at St. John’s Lutheran Church, where she served on the LWML, Country Fair, and VBS committees.

Joyce also served others through working at Hallmark, and Discovery School.

Their family grew with the addition of six grandchildren and two great- grandchildren.

Joyce found great delight in spending time with her family. She especially enjoyed family vacations at Lutheran Island Camp. She was quick to provide support and a word of encouragement. “Do you know how much Nana loves you?” was an oft-repeated phrase that we all treasured.

Joyce will also be remembered for her quick wit, kind heart, love for others, and elegance. She set the standard of fashion while still exuding that unique warmth, humbleness, and openness that drew people of all ages to love her.

She cherished hymns. Her life song of love for her Savior was filled with joy, hope, and peace, which flowed through her words and actions. She taught her family how to sing it – how to live and share God’s love. Joyce believed in the saving work of Jesus Christ. He alone is our hope! We are resurrection people.

Joyce was preceded in death by her daughter, Lynn Meredith; great grandson, Isaac Johnson; parents, Arthur and Alice Goerke; sister, Jacqueline Johnson; brothers-in-law, Allen Karie and Ronald Zeidler.

She is survived by her faithful, loving husband of 61 years, Ronald; children, Jill (David) Johnson and Nicolas (Stacy) Uecker; grandchildren, Peter (Stephanie) Johnson, Allison (Christopher) Pfleghaar, Elias, Olivia, Caden, and Brandon Uecker; great-grandchildren, Lucas and Grant Johnson; siblings, Doris Karie, Jane Zeidler, and Todd (Monica) Goerke; also many loving nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

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