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Joyce E. ‘Graz’ Meyers

BIG BAY, MI – Joyce E. Meyers, age 69, passed away Monday, November 27, 2017 at Norlite Nursing Center, with her son Ken by her side.

Joyce was born June 1, 1948 to Alex and Elma (Takalo) Harju in Marquette. She was raised in Big Bay where she enjoyed spending time with friends and family. She lived in the same home where she was raised, not venturing far from the “old sugar shack.” She was content with her simple life, the company of her beloved Kitty, watching her birds, and the bunnies outside her windows.

Joyce graduated from Marquette Senior High School in 1966. She began working at a variety of local jobs in the Big Bay area, the majority of which were spent serving patrons at the Lumberjack Tavern and the Thunder Bay Inn. Joyce loved people, and enjoyed laughing and joking with her customers. She was known to many long time Big Bay residents as “Stella”, a nickname fondly given to her by an old friend. During this time, Joyce married John Meyers in 1987. They enjoyed playing cribbage, going for rides in the woods, and also frequenting the casino. John passed away in 2004, and Joyce eventually became close friends with Bob Walk. They were often seen riding their golf cart through Perkins Park, and patrolling “downtown” Big Bay.

Bob and Joyce enjoyed Friday night fish frys all over the U.P., and northeast Wisconsin, playing Bingo, cribbage, putting puzzles together, and also going to the casino. Joyce“s other nickname was Graz, given to her by her grandson Joe, when “Grandma” was just too much to say. It stuck, and was even proudly displayed on her front license plate.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John Meyers, her close friend Bob Walk in 2014, and her son Ken”s father, Orville Barber, in 1987. She is survived by her son Ken (Donna LeClaire) Harju of L’Anse, stepdaughters Karen (Lyle) Grosskrentz of Rock, Shelly (Dale) Beaudry of Big Bay, her grandchildren, Aaron Burns of KI Sawyer, Joe Harju of Menasha, Wisconsin, David Harju of L’Anse, along with 6 step-grandchildren; her close cousin Lynn Takalo, dear friends Becky Walk, Jean Moran, Eileen Small, Tammy Ryerse, Karen DeForest, and many more.

A celebration of her life will be held at the Lumberjack Tavern in Big Bay on Saturday, December 9, beginning at 1:00 pm, followed by a reception.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Swanson-Lundquist Funeral Home. Please visit swansonlundquistfuneral home.com to express your condolences online.