Joyce Tutsch

Joyce Tutsch Joyce Tutsch, 82, of Martin, SD, died Saturday, February 28, at Bennett County Hospital in Martin. Christened Lila Joyce and delivered on a farm two miles south of Tuthill, SD, Joyce was the second of six children born to Roy and Lillian Jacobs Farmer. Payment for her delivery was a bucket of rendered lard. Educated in various schools in Bennett County, Joyce skipped at least one grade and graduated from Bennett County High School with the class of 1949 at age sixteen. Following high school, she worked as a bookkeeper at F and M Chevrolet in Martin. On September 17, 1950, young Joyce married the love of her life, Charles J. (Chuck) Tutsch at the Tuthill Community Presbyterian Church. The newlyweds initially resided near Tuthill, but moved to Vine Grove, KY where Chuck was stationed in the army at Fort Knox in 1952. While living in Kentucky, they welcomed their first child, daughter Deana. Eventually Joyce and Chuck returned to the Bennett County area where they worked as partners in the farm business for over 60 years. The family expanded to include son Dennis and was completed by the addition of daughter Darla. Although Joyce viewed her primary roles as wife, mother, and homemaker, she also worked at a variety of jobs around the community including substitute elementary school teacher, typesetter and correspondent for the Bennett County Booster newspaper, acting director of equalization, and postmaster lead replacement for the Tuthill post office. Throughout her life, Joyce actively participated as an extension club member and office holder, with her most recent group being the Bennett/Shannon Homemakers. She formerly belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star and was a 4-H leader in her younger years. As a lifelong member of the Tuthill Community Presbyterian Church, Joyce served as an elder, treasurer, Sunday school teacher, and Bible study leader. She sang in the church choir, partnered with Arliss DeKay for frequent duets, and was a member of United Presbyterian Women. Her strong faith was the touchstone of her daily life as she endeavored to be a Christian in both conviction and action. Of course, the story of a person's life cannot be told simply by listing a sequence of events - it's the moments between the bullet points that create richness. Joyce made her home where she was happiest, sharing her daily life with family and a community of friends with whom she created a lifetime of precious memories. She raised three children with no nonsense and a lot of love. She adored her grandchildren and was, in return, beloved by them. Her laughter came easily and often with an infectious quality that dared you to resist joining in. Every floor was a dance floor if the music was right. If the phone rang during the World Series, it would likely go unanswered. Joyce made the best cherry pie - actually, she made the best everything. She bested us all playing cards and Yahtzee but lost as graciously as she won. She was half the two-way radio duo known as Cold Feet and Fry Bread, and we will miss her so much. Survivors include her husband, Chuck, Martin, SD; daughters, Deana (Ron) Huggins,Vancouver WA, and Darla Livermont, Pierre, SD; son, Dennis Tutsch, Hudsonville, MI; grandchildren; Stephanie (Colby) Iverson, Vancouver, WA, Jason Tutsch, Hudsonville, MI, Darci Hansen, Portland, OR, Patrick Tutsch, Lexington, KY, Bradley Tutsch, Grand Rapids, MI, Ashlie Livermont, Rapid City, SD, Trey Livermont, Pierre, SD; great-grandchildren, Kian and Aubrey Iverson, Adalyn and Caroline Tutsch, Claire and Gavin Curtis; sisters, Donna Jackson, Martin SD, Shirley (Robert) Claussen, Martin, SD, Marilyn (Larry) Brooks, Black Hawk, SD; brothers, Marvin (Maxine) Farmer, Merriman, NE, David Farmer, Martin, SD; brother-in-law, Joseph (Pamela) Tutsch, San Jose, CA; uncle, Leland (Emma) Jacobs, Martin, SD. Visitation was from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday March 4, at Bennett County Funeral Service, Martin, SD. Services were held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday March 5 at Lindsey Memorial Presbyterian Church, in Martin, SD with Pastor Lisa Danielson officiating. Burial was at the Tuthill Cemetery followed by lunch served by the Tuthill Community Presbyterian Church Women's Group at the Post 240 American Legion hall, Martin, SD. Pallbearers were Gregg Claussen, Steve Claussen, Jason Tutsch, Patrick Tutsch, Bradley Tutsch, Trey Livermont, Aaron Brooks, and Shea Soderlin. Honorary Pallbearers were Stephanie Iverson, Darci Hansen, Ashlie Livermont, Colby Iverson and Joyce's nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials to Tuthill Community Presbyterian Church or Lindsey Memorial Presbyterian Church. Donations may be sent in care of Bennett County Funeral Service, PO Box 65, Martin, SD 57551.

Service:

Thursday March 5, 2015 10:00 AM

Lindsey Memorial Presbyterian Church ` Martin, SD



Visitation:

Wednesday March 4, 2015 5:00 to 7:00 PM

Bennett County Funeral Service