Joyce A. (Ruedger) Gonzalez

Joyce Arlene Gonzalez, age 79, passed away surrounded by her loving family on August 23, 2022 after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.  Joyce was born in Carson City, Michigan on January 28, 1943 to Martin and Lena Ruedger (Osbourne). She graduated from Carson City High School in 1961 and met her husband Arthur shortly after in Lansing, MI.  They were married just a year later on May 26th, 1962 and went on to have 8 children.

Joyce’s greatest accomplishment was raising her 8 children, all of whom attended Our Lady of the Lake Regional School and Houghton Lake High School.  Joyce always loved learning and took classes at Kirtland Community College in her spare time. She earned an Associate Degree in Business Accounting at the age of 58.  She worked with her husband for over 40 years as the Financial Comptroller of the three businesses they owned.  One of those businesses was Northern Cellular and Joyce had the distinction of selling the first cell phone in Roscommon County to Pinky Randall.

After retiring and becoming an “empty nester” Joyce started volunteering at the Mid-Michigan Health Park where she met some wonderful friends.  She was also involved in the Weight Watchers local chapter for several years and was a life member attaining her weight goal and keeping it.  She was an avid gardener and loved her garden and birdwatching.  In retirement, she also found time to go back to a hobby she thoroughly enjoyed.  She made over 40 beautiful quilts and several bags and purses that her family and friends will cherish for years to come.

Joyce is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Arthur, 6 sons, William (Dolores) Gonzalez, James Gonzalez, Thomas (Kim) Gonzalez, Joseph (Suzy) Gonzalez, John (Christina) Gonzalez and Anthony (Jennifer) Gonzalez and her daughter, Teresa Harris.  13 grandchildren; Nicole, Christa, David, Matthew, Victoria, Veronica, Brenna, Jack, Emily, Molly, Kenzie, Hannah and Alena and  4 great grandchildren; Cheyenne, Audrey, Wesli and Jase.  She is also survived by her brother, Kenneth (Rochelle) Ruedger, nephew David Ruedger and many lifelong friends. Preceding her in death were her loving son, Christopher, her parents, nephew, Jeffrey Ruedger and mother-in-law, Angelica Varela-Gonzalez.

Visitation will be on Friday August 26, 2022 from 4 pm to 8 pm at Christler Funeral Home-Prudenville Chapel 1471 W. Houghton Lake Dr., Prudenville, MI 48651. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church (1037 W. Houghton Lake Dr., Prudenville, MI 48651) on Saturday August 27, 2022 at 11 am. Interment will be in Roscommon Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations be sent to Munson Healthcare Hospice in appreciation of taking excellent care of Joyce in her final days. Munson Healthcare Foundations 1150 Medical Campus Drive, Traverse City, Michigan 49684.

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