Joyce I. (Burch) Ward

Grand Marais

Joyce I. Ward, age 82, of Grand Marais, Michigan, died Friday, February 4, 2022 at Munising Memorial Hospital.  She was born on June 25, 1939 to the late Edward and Myrtle (Deneane) Burch.  On August 10, 1957, Joyce married her childhood friend LeRoy “Harold” Ward, and together they raised their seven children.  As their family grew, they lived in Marine City, St. Clair, and Algonac, Michigan before settling in the Upper Peninsula in Grand Marais in 1986.  Family trips in the summers and long weekends on Worchester and Cusino Lake was all they needed to know that Grand Marais was going to be their home.  Joyce and Harold purchased the Rustic Cabins in 1988 and began hosting families, hunters, and fisherman until 2006.  Joyce also worked as a cook, preparing senior meals and then working at the Burt Township School.  She loved family gatherings with all of the aunts, uncles, and cousins, and especially loved when her grandkids were with her.  Joyce loved her horses that she raised and rode for many years.  Joyce was an amazing mother.  She made every holiday and birthday special and gave her kids the best childhood they could imagine.

She is survived by her children – Tanya (Robert) Agan of Venedy, IL, Harold Ward of Algonac, MI, Linda K. (Scott) Breen of Sevierville, TN, Andy (Sue) Ward of Sandusky, MI, Mark (Sandy) Ward of Fairhaven, MI, Mikki (Norm) Geiger and Lea (Rob) Ward-Harbaum both of Grand Marais; 27 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-greatgrandchildren on the way; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and brothers and sisters-in-law.  Joyce was preceded in death by her parents – Edward and Myrtle; husband – Harold Ward; grandson – Christopher Ward-Purple; son-in-law – Garry Breen, Sr.; daughter-in-law – Sally Ward; brothers – Edward Burch, Jr. and Bill Burch; sisters-in-law – Kathy Neilson, Margaret Burgess, and Ann Ward; and brother-in-law – Kenny Ward.

Celebrations of Joyce’s life will be held in both Grand Marais and Marine City at a later date.