Joyce Wedel

Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed. Joyce Wedel, of Scotts, MI, passed away Sunday, August 2, 2020 with her loving family by her side. Joyce Eline Christensen was born October 21, 1939 to Johanna and Edgard Christensen in Chicago, Illinois. Johanna passed away when Joyce was just two years old. Edgard then married Geneva MacIver. The family, which included her sister, Doris, and her brother, Paul, later moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where she met her high school sweetheart, George Wedel, at Kalamazoo Central. They were married January 31, 1959. They had an exemplary marriage, loved each other unconditionally and showed all those who were around them what a Godly marriage looks like. Joyce & George had 3 children, Terrie (Dana) Schwartz, Andrew (Danielle) Wedel, and Bonnie (Richard) Russell. Their grandchildren are Nathan (Lindsey) Schwartz, Andrea (Gary) Truax, Nicholas Schwartz, Zachariah Wedel, Caleb Wedel, and Eli Wedel and great grandchildren, Dylan, Jackson, Alaina & Callen Truax and Stella Schwartz. She was loved by so many in her community, business, church & family and anyone that knew Joyce knew that she loved the Lord. In 1986, she and George were some of the founding members of Country Christian Evangelical Free Church in Scotts. God gave her the gift of hospitality and she used that gift regularly her whole life. Countless people came into the church for the first time and were greeted by Joyce, who later invited them to come over for Sunday dinner. These people were brought into the church family by Joyce with her encouraging phone calls and invitations. Joyce was an integral part of Wedel’s Nursery, Florist & Garden Center. She was the bookkeeper for years when the business was at the foot of Westnedge Hill in Kalamazoo and she was even the one who designed the Wedel’s logo. Later during her children’s school years, she was the secretary at the Scotts Elementary School. When Wedel’s Garden Center moved to the corner of Milham & Westnedge, Joyce started the florist department. Then when the garden center outgrew that location and moved to Texas Drive, Joyce designed the new floral department, which she managed with her daughter, Bonnie, until 2019. Joyce loved working with her family. George, Terrie, Andrew, Bonnie, and now 4th generation Wedels Andrea, Zachariah, and Caleb all had the privilege of working with her as well as Nathan & Nicholas for a few years, not to mention dozens of people she hired through the years who became part of her family! Joyce had three biological children, but countless people will tell you, “She was my mom. She listened to me and took care of me when my mom couldn’t.” The love Joyce had for beauty was special. Her house was always decorated for each season and she had a talent for flower arranging. She not only arranged the flowers, but also grew them in her meticulously cared-for gardens. She used this talent and religiously brought bouquets for the altar at church for decades! There was always something beautiful in her gardens to make a bouquet from and she always gave God the credit for His beautiful creation. Joyce was the most giving mother and wife and loved most to be with her husband and family. She was the one who people hoped would say “come on over for dinner” because she was the best cook in the county! She loved to celebrate with parties – birthdays, holidays, or just because it was Sunday – and she would put on delicious meals for extended family and friends. These meals often included the fresh produce that had been lovingly canned or frozen from George & Joyce’s garden. Visitation for the Wedel family will be at Country Christian Evangelical Free Church, 9286 S. 36th St., Scotts, on Sunday, August 9, from 2:00-5:00. The funeral will be Monday, August 10, at 10:30, also at the church, with lunch following. Memorial donations may be made to Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, Forgotten Man Ministries or Country Christian Evangelical Free Church. While at Joyce’s webpage at www.mccowensecord.com please take time to sign the guestbook by lighting candle and/or sharing a memory with the family. Memorial donations may be made to Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, Forgotten Man Ministries or Country Christian Evangelical Free Church. The Wedel family is being assisted by the McCowen & Secord Funeral Home, 409 S. Main Street, Vicksburg, MI 49097 269-649-1697. Proverbs 3: 5&6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.