Joyce L. Bertrand

Joyce L Bertrand, 98, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Thursday, December 5, 2024. Joyce was born on August 17, 1926, in Green Bay. She was the daughter of William F Kaufman and Laura Brice Kaufman. Joyce attended Saints Peter & Paul Grade School and graduated East High School in the class of ‘45. She continued to attend the class reunions and stayed in touch with high school friends up until just a couple years ago. She married Ralph “Bud” Bertrand on June 14, 1947, at St Francis Xavier Cathedral and shared a rare, lifelong love. They lived in Chicago IL, La Crosse WI, Marinette WI and eventually returned to their roots in Green Bay WI. Joyce worked at Sears Robuck early in her marriage and then became a homemaker/mother to 3 beautiful children. She loved to sew, do embroidery and needlepoint. This love for sewing lead to Joyce making so many items to give away to friends and family. We all had corn bags, embroidered kitchen towels and purse liners. She was very active in Catholic Women’s Club and loved shopping for needy mothers. She so enjoyed wrapping up little onesies and sleepers to give to the new little babies. To know Joyce was a privilege. She had a pure heart of gold and a love for sweets, Pepsi and the occasional Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet. Anything with sparkle and bling would always catch her eye! She prided herself on being early to appointments; at times, up to an hour early. When she needed to fill up her gas tank, she somehow always found the one full-service gas station that would still fill it for her. She loved traveling with family and friends along with the annual summer family gathering in Wisconsin Dells. She enjoyed going to movies and stopping for double bubble with good friends. Whenever her grandchildren would visit, they would always leave with a little candy bag for the trip home. So many little things Joyce would do for everyone that we will all miss. 

Joyce is survived by her 2 sons, Todd (Lynn) Bertrand and Craig (wife, Candy Fleming) Bertrand. Grandchildren: Allison Bertrand, Leah Bertrand, Kala (Nick) Pierce, Sasha Hatfield, Scott (Angela) Koelbl, and Dana (Jim) Goebel. Great grandchildren: Jon Lewis III, Allison Bickel, Chase Bickel, Henry Pierce, and Vincent Pierce; Numerous nieces, nephews, Long time friend and hairdresser Bonnie Watson who was always there when Joyce needed her; along with other family and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Ralph Bertrand in 1999 after 52 blissful years of marriage; daughter, Barbara Koelbl; brother, William Kaufman; sister, Betty Wallace; daughter-in-law, Lynn D. Bertrand; and son-in-law, Steve Koelbl.

Family and friends may call at Malcore Funeral Home, 701 N. Baird St, Green Bay, beginning at 9:30am Friday, December 20, 2024, with a mass following at 11:00am at Saints Peter and Paul Church (across the street). 

The family would like to thank everyone at Woodside Senior Community for the loving care of Joyce. We would also like to thank everyone at Unity Hospice for their care and support of the entire family.