Joyce Marie Pottorff

JACKSONVILLE – We mourn the passing and celebrate the life of Joyce M. Pottorff, who died Thursday, August 21, 2025, at Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, North Carolina. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Trinity Methodist Church in Jacksonville with Rev. Steve Smith officiating.

Joyce was born on December 13, 1933, in Sioux City, Iowa, the daughter of Oscar C. Olson and Marie (Keyser) Olson.

On September 22, 1951, Joyce married Keith E. Pottorff in Elk Point, South Dakota. Together, they shared a life full of love, family, and adventure, moving often and building lasting friendships wherever they lived. After living briefly in Indianapolis, IN, they returned to Sioux City in 1960. Over the years, they also called Minneapolis, MN and Jacksonville, NC home, before settling again in Sioux City in 1986. In 2003, Joyce made her final move to Jacksonville, NC, where she resided with her daughter and son-in-law, Vicki and Thomas Greenwood,

Joyce helped support her family while working at JC Penney, The Bread Basket, and with Sioux City Public Schools. After moving to Jacksonville, she continued to serve her community, volunteering as a Pink Lady in the Surgical Unit Reception of Onslow Memorial Hospital.

Her faith was a guiding light throughout her life. She was a devoted member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Sioux City, and later attended Beulaville United Methodist Church, Northwoods United Methodist Church, and most recently, Trinity Methodist Church in Jacksonville.

Joyce enjoyed traveling, shopping, and most of all, spending time with her family and friends. She will be remembered for her kindness, her warm sense of humor, and her unwavering love for those around her.

She is survivor by her children: Vicki (Thomas) Greenwood of Jacksonville, NC; Peggy (Randy) Dembrowicz of Pasadena, MD; Lori Dudley of Bloomington, MN; Krist (Leslie) Pottorff of Kenosha, WI; 19 grandchildren, Carrie Greenwood; Richard (Christina) Greenwood; Robert (Kara) Greenwood; Peter (Dawn) Smith; Brett (Caren) Smith; Candice (Anthony) Pellot; Nicholas (Sara) Dembrowicz; Jodi (Dan) Pidde; Stacy Dudley, Andrew (Daisy) Pottorff; and Kellen Pottorff – as well as 29 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Keith Pottorff; her parents; her brother, Jack Olson; her sister, Janice Nagel; her daughter, Deborah Lee Pottorff; her great-grandson Peter Jr. (Tippy) Dembrowicz; and great-great-grandson, Tobias Cusamano.