Joyce K. Condra

Joyce Kero Condra passed peacefully in her sleep at the age of 92 on May 11, 2024 in the loving care of all her children who were by her side and present the day of her passing.
Joyce's life journey began on the family farm in the small Finnish immigrant community of Toivola, Minnesota to Jalmers (John) and Ellen Kero on February 3, 1932. Joyce was the fourth of five children raised on the farm including her older sisters Elaine and Shirley, her brother Earl, and younger sister Beverly. She attended school at the Toivola primary school, a one room schoolhouse, and graduated in a class of seven. Joyce then studied at the University of Minnesota Duluth and graduated with an Elementary School Education degree and worked as a second-grade teacher before marrying and starting her own family. She also managed and taught at the Kinder Care day care and early education pre-school facility near her home in Troy, MI. Her journey initially took her from the farm in Toivola to such far flung places as Virginia, MN, Rock Rapids, IA, Morgantown, WV, St. Charles, IL, and Troy, MI her residence for the past 48 years.
Joyce married Wendell Condra in 1959. They had six children; Christy (Jeff) McElyea, John (Karen) Condra, Jody (Scott) Chynoweth, Jill (Mike) Davis, Robert (Donna) Condra, and Cathy (Brad) Watling. Joyce was blessed with sixteen grand-children; Collen (Zach) Cowles, Austin (Kelly) Condra, Bryan (Arielle) Condra, Sara Condra, Michael Chynoweth, Erin Chynoweth, Tyler (Lindsay) Davis, Colin Davis, Matthew Davis, Jennifer Davis, Elena Condra, Wendy Condra, Lily Condra, Audrey Condra, Emily Watling, and Connor Watling: and 2 great-grand-children; Trafford Cowles and Charles (Charlie) Davis.
She enjoyed her time visiting Northern Minnesota and Lake Vermillion annually for many years with her family and picking fresh blueberries. Her favorite times were in her flower gardens and playing cards with her family, surrounded by the young grandchildren and the family dogs. She also enjoyed playing golf in weekly golf leagues. Later in life her daily routines included crossword puzzles, Wordle, watching MSU Basketball, planning and writing the skits the family performed at the annual summer Condra Campouts at her children's lake homes in Michigan, and planning the white elephant gift exchange for the annual Christmas get togethers each Christmas holiday. She had a strong interest, and a somewhat more than modest opinion, in politics and world events, remaining informed and engaged throughout her life.
Family will receive friends Friday, May 31, 2024, from 2pm-8pm. There will be a Memorial Service at 7pm.
A private burial will take place at a later date a White Chapel Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made in Joyce's name to JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) or Leader Dogs for the Blind.