Joyce M. (Becker) Zinkel, age 94 of Two Rivers, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at Northland Lodge Assisted Living, Two Rivers.
Joyce was born Sept. 27,1926 at the family home in Two Rivers. She was the only child of Raymond and Susan (Kanzelberger) Becker. Joyce attended St. Luke’s Catholic School thru 8th grade and then went on to Washington High School, Two Rivers. Upon graduation with the class of 1944, she moved to Minneapolis to develop her teletype skills. From here she traveled to Ogden, Utah and used her expertise during the war years. After taking an oath of secrecy, part of her assignment was to share communications with the U.S. Naval Forces.
She met Tony shortly after the war in 1946. They were married a year later on June 28, 1947 at St. Luke’s Parish in Two Rivers. They set up their first home in Manitowoc where Tony worked for Braunel Plumbing. In the early1960’s, Tony was able to open his own shop and the family moved to their new home on Tannery Road in Two Rivers. The couple had proudly celebrated 60 years of marriage before Tony passed away in 2007. After remaining at the family home for 5 additional years, she moved to Northland Lodge on Two Rivers east side.
Joyce helped with the bookkeeping of Zinkel Plumbing and Heating while raising the couples 4 children. She also kept busy volunteering at Holy Redeemer Church, and the local Lioness Club. Joyce was also a member of the Historical Society. She enjoyed dancing and playing bridge with friends during the day and couples sheepshead with Dad several evenings a month. The Tannery Road home was always the meeting place for family gatherings on holidays and special occasions. The kitchen was Mom’s private domain until it came to doing the dishes!
She will be missed but will live on through her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Joyce is survived by one son, Brian Zinkel, Manitowoc; three daughters and two sons-in-law: Sue Rae and Doug Jansky, Two Rivers, Jolene and Tom Olson, Appleton, Cynthia Disjardin, Kenosha; six grandchilren: Scott Jansky and wife Melissa (Zipperer); Kelly (Patrick) Wang; Erin (Sean) O’Neill; Megan (Louis) Medina; Jennifer (Jody) Anderson; and Annette (Jeman) Howze; fourteen great grandchildren: Madison and Logan Jansky; Skyler, Ashley and Kaitlyn Anderson; Jalen Sims, Aniya Price, Alise and Alaiah Howze; Finian and Jonathon O’Neill; Alek Wang; and Penelope and Charlie Medina. She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Susan Becker; her husband, Tony; and a son-in-law, Dan Disjardin.
The family will never forget the independent, family oriented, modest and proud women who taught them so much.
Out of respect and concern for public health and safety, a private funeral service will be held at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, 3201 Mishicot Rd. Two Rivers. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Dave Pleier, with burial to follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Two Rivers.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.dejamartin.com.
Memorials donated in Joyce’s memory will be directed to St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, Two Rivers.
Deja & Martin Funeral Chapels of Two Rivers is assisting the Zinkel family with funeral arrangements.
The family would like to thank the staff at Northland Lodge, especially Carrie Anne, Joy and Sheri for their kindness and excellent care given to our mother through the years. Special thanks also to the wonderful caregivers of Heartland Hospice for the additional care and compassion shown to Joyce and her family.
