Joyce Evelyn Twiest's Obituary
Joyce Evelyn Twiest, age 87, of Spring Lake passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, April 4, 2021. Joyce and her twin sister Joan were born on January 11, 1934. The twins were born at home in Muskegon, MI to Joseph and Fanny (Beddo) Dykstra. Joyce married Jack Twiest on March 12, 1954. While she was a homemaker most of her life, raising their 4 children in Nunica, MI, she did have various jobs outside of the home. One of her favorites was working at Idle Hour Lunch restaurant. Idle Hour Lunch is considered a hub for social gatherings in the community and it was there that she made many life-long friends. Joyce always loved an adventure. She and Jack loved to travel by motor home and motorcycle, and in their lifetime together saw much of the United States and explored many National parks. Joyce flew in a plane for the first time in her life in August of 1978 to see her daughter and new granddaughter. It wasn't a quick flight though. She went all the way to Alaska! She also adored her family. Joyce and Jack loved to play cards with family and friends. Her grandchildren refer to her as a card shark. Joyce was a loving wife, sister, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She will truly be missed as she was the smile that lights up the room. She is survived by her four children: Victoria (Kim) Harthorn of Eveleth, MN, Bonita Christopher of Spring Lake, and Teresa (Daryl) German of Wolf Lake, and Melvin (Maryanne) Twiest of Muskegon; her grandchildren: Trisha (Michael) Stapleton, Rebecca (Eric) Welsch, Adrienne (Andy) Hubbard, Chris Christopher, Jesse Christopher, Bryan (Jamie) Smant, and Adam (Anja) Smant; and her great-grandchildren: Joshua and Luke Stapleton, Hannah Goetzel, Jack and Rhys Hubbard, Katrina Christopher, Kash Christopher and Mara Smant. She will also be greatly missed by her sisters, Margaret (Peggy) Hall and Mary Connell, and her sister-in-law, Marlene Dykstra. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Jack, her son-in-law, Nels (Korky) Christopher, her brothers, Harold and Jack Dykstra, and her sisters, Helen Deloy and Joan Buckley. Interment and a graveside memorial will take place at Spring Lake township cemetery at a later date. It is the family’s wish for memorial contributions to be made to the National Park Service in memory of Joyce so that others may continue to adventure. National Park Service, Accounting Operations Center, c/o RDMT Deposits, 13461 Sunrise Valley Dr., Herndon, VA, 20171. Arrangements entrusted to The Spring Lake Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 213 E. Savidge St, Spring Lake, MI 49546.
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