Joy Hummel

Joy Eileen Pedersen Hummel died on July 6, 2015, in Longmont, Colorado. She had lived in Loveland, Colorado since March 2014, with her husband and near her daughter and her family.

Joy was born in Oak Park, Illinois on August 20, 1942, the oldest of 4 children born to Ivan C. Pedersen and Winifred I. Pedersen. Her father and mother preceded her in death. She is survived by her sisters, Alicia Schneider and Carol Paffenroth, and her brother John Pedersen, as well as 7 nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her husband, Steve, her daughters Eileen (Mark) and Michelle (Uli), and her three grandchildren Liesel, Rüdiger, and Steffi.

Joy married Stephen Hummel on November 28, 1964. They met in college in Danbury, Connecticut, fell in love across a beach blanket in June and were married in November. Their married life kept them in Connecticut initially, then to Georgia for Vietnam's Basic Training, and then Joy returned to Rockford to be with her family during Steve's Vietnam Tour in 1967-68. When he returned they stayed in Rockford while Joy taught elementary school, and Steve worked at National Can Company. In 1973 they welcomed Eileen Elizabeth, their first daughter. Steve's work transferred him to LaPorte, Indiana where they welcomed their second daughter, Michelle Irene in 1976. They enjoyed a life with lively bridge parties, sitting on their front porch chatting with their neighbors, and their daughters.

Joy and Steve transferred to Houston, TX in 1983 with then-American National Can Company. The family joined and got involved at Atascocita Presbyterian Church, with Joy and Steve volunteering weekly in the kitchen during Youth Club, Joy serving as a Deacon in the church, and Eileen and Michelle involved in the youth group and choir. Joy went back to work full-time at Atascocita Middle School as a 6th Grade Social Studies teacher with a 31-year career. Through AMS she made many lifelong friends and participated in a weekly Friday night social club of teachers.

Joy and Steve retired to Crossville, TN in search of four seasons and a community of retirees. There, Joy really indulged her passion: Genealogy. As part of the Genealogy Club, Kinseekers, Joy researched her own family's beginnings as well as anyone near to her who showed a similar curiosity. Joy volunteered weekly at the Cumberland County Archives, helping others pursue their passion. Joy and Michelle even traveled to the Salt Lake City archives of Genealogy in March 2015.

She enjoyed her time in Loveland, seeing her grandchildren regularly, living with Steve and their dog MacKenzie.

Joy will be cremated and buried in Rochelle, Illinois at her family's cemetery, Lawn Ridge Cemetery. Her memorial service took place on Friday, July 10 at 1:30pm at Westview Presbyterian Church's Gathering Place, with a reception that followed in the Fellowship Hall in Longmont, Colorado. All were welcome. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences.