Joyce R Chapek

Joyce R. Chapek, 74, of Albert Lea MN passed away on Friday March 20,2020 as a result of a motor vehicle accident.

Joyce Ruth Chapek was born August 12, 1945 to John and Ruby (Truhlar) Freese. She graduated from Rose Creek High School in 1964. On March 26, 1965 she was united in marriage to Alvin Louis Chapek in rural Austin, MN. To this marriage was born two children Jeanette and William. Joyce was married to the love of her life until his passing in 2000.

Joyce was a stay at home wife and mom until her children were out of school though she did do babysitting for friends and neighbors. She would later work at Lunds Foods in Lake Mills, IA for 17 years before retiring at 65 years old. 4 years later she decided to go back to work and took a part time job which she loved until her passing at Kentucky Fried Chicken in Albert Lea.

Joyce enjoyed crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, reading her Amish novels and daily devotional. She attended the senior center twice a week where she loved her exercise classes and the friends she made there. She volunteered at Ruby’s pantry and SPIRE with the ARC of Freeborn County. More than anything Joyce loved her family. She enjoyed taking care of the people she loved whether it was coming over to help clean and cook for special events or making Grandma’s special treats like nutty bars or banana cream pie or special meals like sour kraut and dumplings.

Survivors include her daughter Jeanette and Clifford Burton and their children Brandi Alyce (Tyler) great grandson Hakan; Makayla and McKenzie Burton. Son William “Bill” and Cathie Chapek and their children Sean, Seth, and Samantha Chapek. Her special dog princess, Brothers Jack (Karen) Freese and Ward “Pete”(Sue)Freese and sister Pearl Ferguson. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and friends that were family to her. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Ruby. Her husband Alvin, her grandson Randy Stahl II, 5 brothers; Elmer Freese, John Freese, Joe Freese, Ray Freese, and Frank Freese and 2 sisters Peggy Batdorf and Rosie Haskin.

A visitation is planned for Thursday March 26,2020 at Bayview Funeral Home from 11am-1pm. Due to government restrictions the funeral home will allow people in small groups. The funeral will follow officiated by Pastor Kaleb Hurley at 1pm and is open only to immediate family due to restrictions. Graveside burial will be immediately following the funeral at the Bohemian Cemetery and is open to anyone who would like to attend. The family will have a celebration of Life for Joyce at a later date. For anyone who has the ability Bayview Funeral Home has offered a Facebook Live of the services for those who are not able to attend. This should air at 1pm on their Facebook page.

God bless her memory as she will be forever loved.