Joyce Usitalo

Joyce was born on May 5, 1929, in Calumet, Michigan to parents Henry and Olga (Jova) Anderson. Joyce graduated from Calumet High School with the class of 1947. After high school she attended Northern Michigan University where she graduated with a bachelors degree in Home Economics.

Joyce married her husband Herbert Richard Usitalo in August of 1957. Joyce worked as a home economics teacher at Calumet, Powers, Newberry, and Flushing High Schools during her teaching career.

Joyce discovered her love of pottery in Madison, Wisconsin and pottery was a lifelong passion of hers. Joyce loved cooking, sewing, reading, swimming, traveling, and time with family.

Joyce is preceded in death by her husband Herbert Usitalo, her sister Gloria Hatch, and her grandson Sam Maatta.

Joyce is survived by her four daughters Christina (John) Bessolo, Elsa (Douglas) Oja, Julianna Usitalo, and Mary (Jeffery) Turnquist. She is also survived by her brother Phillip Anderson of Arizona, 19 Grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the special people at GardenView Assisted Living and Portage Pointe Nursing Home.

Per Joyces request in lieu of flowers please make donations in her honor to the First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Calumet building fund.

A funeral service will be held for Joyce at 11 a.m. on Thursday March 7, 2024, at the First Apostolic Church in Calumet, Michigan. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. – 11a.m. on Thursday March 7, 2024 at the church. Burial will take place later in the spring.

The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences for the family may be left at ericksoncrowleypeterson.com.