Joyce Roberts, 74

Published 1:42 pm Thursday, March 10, 2011

Joyce E. (Lightly) Roberts, 74, passed away Monday, March 7, 2011, at her home following a courageous two-year battle with brain cancer.

Joyce was born July 11, 1936, near Oakland, Minn., to Herbert and Helen (Toyne) Lightly. She attended school in Oakland and graduated from Austin High School. She married Sherbun Roberts in October 1956. They had three children. They started Riverbend Campground and Joyce spent many hours maintaining the grounds while entertaining campers with her wonderful cooking and baking. Later in life, Joyce worked at the Gerard Treatment Center as a receptionist until her retirement. She met many of her closest friends while employed there and loved to spend time with them. Throughout the years, she was very active in her church. She was a Sunday school teacher, in the choir, volunteered in many areas and enjoyed her time of fellowship with her church family.

Joyce’s greatest joys in life revolved around her family. Her favorite times in life were being surrounded by her loved ones with laughter and fun. She will be missed by many people.

Joyce is survived by her children Ginger Roberts Carson (Brent Buenger), Steve (Tammy) Roberts, and Greg (Amy) Roberts. She was blessed with six grandchildren, Jenny and Chris Roberts, Logan and Lizabeth Carson, and Colin and Caitlin Roberts. She is also survived by a sister and brother-in-law Jean (Rev. Roger) Camerer and sisters-in-law Marion (Dan) Greenameyer and Jean (Don) Beaver.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Paul and Roger Craig; sister-in-law Janice Lightly and nephew, Andy Lightly.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 12 at Grace Baptist Church with Pastor Gordon Larson and Pastor Roger Camerer officiating. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 11, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary and at the church on Saturday for one hour before the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Grace Baptist Church or the Brainstogetherforacure.org Foundation.