Joyce Elizabeth Lenger

Joyce Lenger was born Joyce Elizabeth Fanberg April 4,1923 in Kerkhoven, Minnesota and entered into her heavenly home January 25, 2025. Her father had a large seed corn farm that was so large he needed several ranch hands to help with the work. She lived on the farm with her eight siblings and her parents. Each of the nine children worked on the farm. Joyce's main task was detasseling corn. Joyce and her family went to the Evangelical Free Church in Kerkhoven and were active in the ministries of the church.

When it was time for college, she went to Trinity Bible College in Chicago. There she met Earl Whittaker. After a few years, they got married and began their family: Richard (Dick), Larry (who died in infancy), Pam, and Tom. They attended North Shore Church and became very active in the ministry there.

A few years later, they moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota for Earl's work. He got a job as a chemist with the Minnesota Dept. of Health. Tom developed pretty serious asthma and doctors said they needed to move him to a drier climate. A job became available at the Nevada Test Site so off to Las Vegas they moved.

While Earl was at work and the kids were off to school, Joyce started selling Avon. She was given a large territory in a wealthy area and got to know many wives of the "important" people in the city. She then got a job in the admissions department at Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital. That job had her climbing the ladder and proved her to be an indispensable assistant to one of the top hospital bosses. During this time, she and Earl became very involved in the beginning of the Las Vegas Rescue Mission. They were also busy working in their church which they had begun some years earlier.

About the time both she and Earl retired, Earl was diagnosed with a rare cancer. She was by his side throughout the entire illness until he passed away in February of 1991. She did a little traveling in Europe with a sister and brother-in-law and continued her passion and favorite hobby, knitting on her knitting machines.

Joyce moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1993 and married Conrad Lenger. She was blessed to have two Godly and gracious husbands. Con passed away in 2006. She started going to Curves to exercise and was still going to her knitting club and making beautiful clothes for herself and family members. She also loved to have fun, so naturally when she was approached about posing in motorcycle gear for a calendar to raise money for the library, she was definitely up for that!

Joyce lived a long and full life, and if we could ask her what one of her greatest moments was, we're sure she'd say it was the day she met her Lord and Savior.

There will be a memorial service for Joyce 11 a.m. Friday, April 4, 2025 at Celebration Bible Church, 4690 8th Ave., Grandville, Michigan. Joyce will be buried in Las Vegas next to her first husband, Earl. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresgrandville.com in their guestbook online.