Joyce "Joy" Minke

Joyce Catherine ""Joy"" (Collinge) Minke, 90, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 23, 2025. Born on August 10, 1935, in Waupaca, Wisconsin, Joy spent her childhood in the Panama Canal Zone, where her family had long-standing ties to the Canal's history. She graduated from Balboa High School in 1953.

Joy earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and her master's degree from the University of California, Berkeley. She worked at the Space Sciences Laboratory at UC Berkeley before serving in the Peace Corps in Bolivia, where she met her husband, Joseph Garrett ""Gary"" Minke. They married in La Paz in 1965.

With her husband Joy raised four children-David, Jenifer, Peter, and Paul-while living in many places around the world, including Tokyo, Buenos Aires, Jakarta, Houston, and Denver. Joy managed the household from country to country, tackling new languages and cultures and shepherding her kids through multiple adventures. Joy enjoyed playing the piano and often served as the organist at the local Catholic church in each community she lived. She also played softball in an adult league, got involved in Girl Scout leadership and trained as an EMT.

Joy and Gary spent the early part of retirement in their beloved log ""cabin"" in Jefferson, Colorado and became active members of the Indian Mountain and Fairplay communities. Joy served as Treasurer of the Indian Mountain Metropolitan Recreation and Park District, presented at the South Park Symposium on Colorado railroad history, and joined Gary in advocating for Park County water rights. She was also a loyal fan of the CU Buffaloes.

Starting in 2001, Joy and Gary enjoyed active years in Punta Gorda, Florida where they especially loved playing tennis, engaging in social activities in Burnt Store Marina, and singing in the church choir. Joy became an accomplished quilter, creating handmade quilts for each grandchild, now cherished family heirlooms. She and Gary continued their love of travel with adventures to Scotland and Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Panama, and New Zealand. They continued Joy's family tradition of spending weeks of summer at Miner Lake in the Chain O' Lakes of Waupaca, Wisconsin. They later moved to Tucson, Arizona and then Bryan, Texas.

Joy was preceded in death by Gary and is survived by her four children, thirteen

grandchildren and her sister Sara. She will be remembered for her dedication to her family, her adventurous spirit and interest in people, and her love of sports and music.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made on Joy's behalf to the South Park Historical Foundation or South Park City Museum in Fairplay, Colorado or to a charity of your choice.