Joyce Ritzema

Jaitske “Joyce” Ritzema, of Waupun Wisconsin, passed away peacefully in her sleep at age 95 on October 5, 2024. Joyce was born November 1, 1928, in Tjerkwerd, in the Province of Friesland, the Netherlands, the daughter of Bouwe Feenstra and Jeltsje Feenstra Albada. 

Joyce spent her younger years in the Netherlands. While in high school during World War II, she participated in the underground resistance by delivering BBC newspapers since listening to radios was not allowed by the Nazi occupation. After high school, she earned her bachelor’s degree in education. She taught and was the principal of a Christian vocational school for eight years. In 1959, Joyce immigrated to the United States. She married Jan Ritzema on October 2, 1959, in Reeseville, WI. She officially became a citizen of the United States on May 10, 1973. Together, the couple farmed and began to raise their family near Waterloo, WI for eight years, then in Waupun, WI, for another 32 years, retiring from farming in 1999. 

Joyce was an active member of Trinity Reformed Church in Waupun. She participated in the Country Road Homemakers, worked as a 4-H leader, and was a member of the Farm Bureau. As a member of the Fond du Lac County Association for Home and Community Education, she loved participating for 10 years in their ‘First Book’ program. She could be described as an avid traveler, enjoying many trips throughout the U.S. and to the Netherlands and other countries. Her pleasures included spending time with family and friends, flower gardening, and flower arranging later in life. She will always be remembered for her faith, commitment to family, strength, and her kindness to others. 

She was thankful for all the help she received in her later years - from family near and far, her church family, and when she needed more assistance to remain in her home, from neighbors and friends. 

Joyce is survived by her three children, Roland (Mary) Ritzema of Fond du Lac, WI, John (Leslie) Ritzema of Visalia, CA and Alita (Michael) Dorn of Janesville, WI; seven grandchildren, Eric Ritzema, Gregory (Abby) Ritzema and Janelle Ritzema, Brent (Kari) Ritzema, Brad Ritzema and Katelyn Ritzema, and Anneka (Eric) Wendt; a great-grandson and great-granddaughter, Graham and Emerson Ritzema; three brothers, Hielke (Ineke) Feenstra of the Netherlands, Pieter (Anna) Feenstra of Denmark and Hendrik Feenstra of Orland, CA; four sisters, Wapke Wilma Kraak of Madison, WI, Baukje (Rob) de Coole, Anke (Max) de Coole, and Dieuwke Feenstra all of the Netherlands; and many nieces, nephews and friends. 

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jan Ritzema; son, Orwin Ritzema; granddaughter, Maria Dorn; great-granddaughters Noel and Joy Ritzema; sisters Hendrikje Feenstra, Geeltje Feenstra (and husband Hans van Rossum), and Antsje Buma-Feenstra (and brother-in-law Hendrik Buma); brother, Enne Feenstra (and sister-in-law Anne Feenstra); sister-in-law Anne-Lise Feenstra, and also brother-in-law Roelof Kraak. 

A private burial service will take place at Forest Mound Cemetery on October 16, 2024. Family and friends are welcomed on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Trinity Reformed Church in Waupun, WI, for visitation from 9-11 a.m., memorial service at 11 a.m., followed by a reception. Pastor Laura Wessels and Pastor Bryant Brozik are officiating, and Joyce's family is also served by her church family and staff of Werner-Harmsen Funeral Home of Waupun. 

The family is grateful to the staff of the Barrett House and SSM Hospice in Green Lake for their care near the end of life. 

Our family welcomes flowers (avoid lilies due to allergies), as well as charitable donations to these charities special to Mom:

* American Cancer Society 

https://shorturl.at/lJ6M8

OR

https://donate.cancer.org/?campaign=honormemorialmedia&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaignid=11361949398&utm_adgroupid=154436763828&utm_keyword=american%20cancer%20society&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw9p24BhB_EiwA8ID5BsO2plnASidYkllUePLZbcjz0M-AquV6sULKqSEFv-3puIcRqOEV7RoCFp8QAvD_BwE

*Project Maria 

https://projectmaria.org/donate/

* Samaritans Purse

https://shorturl.at/6gCOS

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/donate-online/?utm_source=Ggl&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=m_YGND-B24V&utm_content=DonateSitelink&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw9p24BhB_EiwA8ID5Bjvq7n1sYW-zlBf_M_1oMqqHDmMaTIi_0KWCYdafrcuhGlDXxuSnTRoCdpgQAvD_BwE

*Right to Life

https://www.classy.org/give/392480/#!/donation/checkout