Joyce Burkel

Joyce Arlene Burkel, 90, of Red Wing, died Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at Deer Crest Assisted Living. She was born July 22, 1933 to Arthur and Emma (Boettcher) Miller in Mankato, Minnesota. She graduated from Mankato High School in 1951. She attended Mankato State College. She worked at REA Electric Coop, Kato Engineering and Katolight Corp. On May 21, 1955 she married Roger Burkel. The couple raised 6 children. In 1967 they moved to Rochester and then in 1969, to Red Wing. Joyce worked as a guidance secretary at the Red Wing Central High School from 1972 – 1978.

She was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church where she served as the choir accompanist for 20 years and the head organist for 43 years. Over her lifetime she played the organ for every church she attended, over 65 years in total. She was the President of the Red Wing School Secretarial Association and a member of the Red Wing Square Dance Club. She offered her time to many organizations over the years, including The Minnesota Correctional Facility, Meals on Wheels, and the Sheldon Theater. Joyce enjoyed music, golfing, bowling, cross-stitching and traveling.

She will be missed by many, including her children, Deborah (Bruce) Schwartau of Kasson, Minn., Paul (Lynda) Burkel of Farmington, Minn., Ruth (Bill) Diercks of Brookings, SD., Judy (Mark) Diercks of Goodhue, Mike (Terri) Burkel of Mesa, Ariz. and Bridget (Brett) Williams of Chanhassen, Minn.; 13 grandchildren; Laura (Robert) Gough, Nicole (Jay) Zimmerman, Josh (Leesa) Burkel, Sam (Mal) Diercks, Brady (Leeann) Diercks, Noah (Alex) Diercks, Jake (Bonnie) Diercks, Meghan Diercks, Emma Diercks, Jack (Elizabeth) Burkel, Brooke Burkel, Emmett Williams, and Atticus Williams; 16 great grandchildren; two brothers-in-law; and many nieces and nephews, family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Roger; grandchildren, Ross Diercks, Stephanie Schwartau and Evan Burkel; 3 sisters and her parents.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m., Friday, June 28, 2024 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Red Wing, with Reverend Peter Sternberg officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 until the time of the service. Burial will be at Burnside Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to St. John’s Organ Fund, the Prader-Willi Association or M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com