Joyce M. Richards

Ishpeming- Joyce M. Richards, age 92, longtime Ishpeming area resident, passed away on February 27, 2026 at Evergreen Senior Living in Kingsford where she had recently been residing to be closer to her daughter, Connie.

Joyce was born in Huntersville, MN on September 25, 1933, daughter of the late Alfred and Esther (Marlow) Kussatz. She was a graduate of Sebeka High School with the class of 1951 where she took many business classes. Joyce worked in the office at the Sebeka Co-op Creamery for 4 years. Joyce married her first husband Duane Dobson in January of 1955 and enjoyed 34 years of marriage until his passing in 1989, Duane worked for the Cleveland Cliffs Mining Company in Minnesota and was given the chance to transfer to the UP operations in 1969 where they settled and made their home in the West Ishpeming area. She later married Theodore “Sam” Richards in 1995 and enjoyed almost 25 years of marriage until Sam’s passing in 2020. Joyce worked as an office manager for many years at Northern Automatic Electric Foundry.

Joyce was a member of Hope Free Evangelical Lutheran Church, served as the Den Mother for the Boy scouts and taught religion classes while living in Minnesota. Joyce played in integral role in developing the Bingo program at the American Legion Post 114 which benefited the Legion and their fundraising events greatly. She served as President for 18 years as well as holding other board positions including secretary and treasurer over the years. Joyce was a devoted Auxiliary member of the American Legion where she received one of the highest recognitions and was awarded the title of Auxiliary Member of the Year for the UP.

Joyce enjoyed sewing, gardening, doing crossword puzzles, camping, fishing, and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She cherished taking her grandkids for her yearly summer Grandma’s week.

Joyce is survived by 2 children- Terry (Carrie) Dobson, Connie (Ross) Tresedder, sister- LeAnn Bartol, 5 stepchildren- Harold (Karen) Richards, Sam (Rae) Richards, Mary Jane (Butch) Laakso, Dale (Judy) Richards, Nick Richards, step daughter-in-law- Tonja Richards, 8 grandchildren- Nicholas Dobson, Caitlin Dobson, Bradley (Rebecca) Dobson, Spencer (Shelly) Dobson, Ty (fiancee Saraa) Dobson, Brian (Alyssa) Tresedder, Abby (Cole) Hodge, Hannah (Brandon) Mitchell, 8 great grandchildren- Chase Dobson, Art and Vail Tresedder, Hailey, Brayden, Hope, and Gabriel Hodge, with great grandson baby Mitchell on the way, along with many nieces and nephews and numerous Richards grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, first husband- Duane Dobson, son- Larry Dobson, second husband- Sam Richards, stepdaughter- Margo Kari, step son- Bill Richards, and 6 siblings- Floyd Kussatz, Melvin Kussatz, Jean Steffens, Gary Kussatz, Marvin Kussatz, and Gordy Kussatz.

Joyce’s family will greet relatives and friends on Friday March 6, 2026 at the Bjork and Zhulkie Funeral Home from 11:00am until 12:30pm Eastern. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 12:30pm Eastern with Joyce’s grandson Ty Dobson officiating. Interment will take place in the Ishpeming Cemetery in the spring/summer.