Joyce Elaine Behrends Fortkamp
Joyce Elaine Behrends, daughter of Orval and Ora (Gerdes) Behrends, was born Feb. 20, 1950 in Auburn, Nebraska. She was one of three children born to this union.
Joyce was baptized on March 26, 1950 by Rev. C. H. Goede and was confirmed on March 22, 1964 by Rev. Walter Lentz, both at St. John’s Lutheran (Stone) Church near Auburn. She was an organist at this church during her high school and business college years.
She graduated from Johnson Public School in 1968 and from the Lincoln School of Commerce in 1969. A few weeks before her graduation, she was employed by the Lincoln School of Commerce as Secretary to the President and later also assumed the responsibilities of Office Manager.
On July 21, 1973, she was united in marriage to Lynn LeRoy Fortkamp at St. John’s Lutheran (Stone) Church. Three sons, Jerel Lynn, Deven Leon and Kelen Leroy were born to this union.
The couple lived in Curtis for three years. They made their home south of Champion in 1976 and began farming. She was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church and had served as an LYF sponsor, Zeal member, Mid-Week teacher and Bell Choir member. She had also served on the Chase County Community Hospital Board. She had been employed part-time at the Frontier County Welfare Office, H & R Block, Zion Lutheran Church and Imperial Lanes.
Spending time with her children and grandchildren were her greatest joy, with reading books to her grandchildren the most important. She also enjoyed working with her husband on the farm, gardening, sewing and crafts, and visiting with family and friends.
In 1999 she was diagnosed with IPF, followed by congenital heart failure. Since that time she endured many hospital stays and the rest of her time was spent at home, enjoying visits from family and friends.
Joyce passed away Sept. 25, 2023 at her home, having reached the age of 73 years.
She was preceded in death by her father Orval in 1990 and mother Ora in 2019; sister Marilyn Knippelmeyer in 2021; and nephew-godchild Brandon Behrends in 1993
Those left to mourn her passing are her husband Lynn of Champion; son Jerel and wife Mary and children Andrew and Sophie of Imperial; son Deven of Salina, Kansas; son Kelen and wife Elizabeth and children Jason, Taylor, and Alex of Imperial; brother Eldon Behrends and wife Susan of Tucson, Arizona; brother-in-law Jerry Knippelmeyer of Auburn; nieces DeAnn, Sandi, Darcie and Serina; many Behrends, Gerdes and Fortkamp relatives and friends.
Confirmation Verse: Isaiah 41:10
Visitation will be held at Liewer Funeral Home on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023 from 2–6 p.m. MT with family receiving friends from 3–5 p.m. MT.
A funeral service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Imperial on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. MT with Pastor Scott Adle officiating.
Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery in Imperial.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Imperial Library foundation or Zion Lutheran Building Fund.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.liewerfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements entrusted to Liewer Funeral Home.