Obituary of Joyce M. Heirigs

Joyce M. Heirigs, passed away in her sleep January 29, 2015 at her home in Menno, SD. She was born March 22, 1926 in Irene, SD, graduated from Irene High School and worked in Washington D.C. during WWII. She married Elmer (Lefty) Hertz in 1945 and raised 5 children with him; Lefty died in 1968. In 1971 she married Joseph Heirigs. They lived on a farm near Turkey Ridge, SD and later moved to Menno, SD where Joyce was Postmaster and Professional Grandmother for many years. Joe died in 2011. Joyce loved to cook and bake, making the most perfect cookies ever made, especially the ginger snaps. She and Joe produced woodcrafts for many years, traveling the craft show circuit in Eastern South Dakota, all the while gathering stories and having a good time with their many friends. Joyce tracked all the family events, keeping track of everyone's birthday and in the last few years following (and commenting on) family Facebook pages. She always liked baseball, and remained a Minnesota Twins fan even though they haven't had a winning season in years. She made the most of her life and will be missed by everyone who knew her. Joyce was preceded in death by both Lefty and Joe, her parents Esther (Vedin) and Marvin Christopherson, her brothers Donald Christopherson and Clifford Christopherson, and her son Charles Hertz. She is survived by her brother Keith (Gwen) Christopherson of Viborg, SD, children: Tom (Mary) Hertz, Robert Hertz and Jack Hertz, all of Menno, SD, James (Margaret) Hertz of Bremerton, WA, Henry (Linh) Heirigs of Vietnam, Ralph (Roxie) Heirigs of Lawton, Oklahoma, Dorothy (Gary) Sanborn of Madison, SD, Debra (Daniel) Grace of Whitney Point, NY and Rick (Laura) Heirigs of North Platte, NE, plus dozens and dozens of grandchildren and great grandchildren. Visitation will be held Monday, February 2, 2015 starting at 5 PM at Grace Lutheran Church in Menno, SD. Prayer service will follow at 7 PM, same location. The funeral will be on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at 10:30 AM at Grace Lutheran Church, with interment at the Menno Cemetery following the service. Aisenbrey-Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Menno is in care of the arrangements.