Joyce Elaine Cosmann Klemm was born June 11, 1935 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the only child of Theodore and Emily (Rosiak) Cosmann. She attended Michigan State University and was Homecoming Queen in 1954. At State she met the love of her life, Frank E. Klemm; they married September 3, 1955. She and Frank moved to Frank’s hometown of St. Joseph, Michigan where they raised their family. She worked at Blossomland Learning Center until graduation from Western Michigan University and began teaching fourth grade at Lake Michigan Catholic until retirement. And what a teacher she was. Joyce was active in Saint Joseph Parish where she attended Saint Joseph Catholic Church. She was an avid bridge player and played with several social groups weekly, an avid reader being a member of two book clubs, was an active volunteer at the Mendel Center and the Berrien County Senior Center. She loved traveling, birding, nature and was a very gifted knitter
She was generous, and her vivacious personality was heartwarming to all. She was preceded in death by her husband Frank Klemm. She is survived by her five children, Sharon Klemm of Sodus, MI, Carlyn (Cari Clark) Klemm of St. Joseph, MI, Frank Klemm Jr. of Benton Harbor, MI, David (Frankie) Klemm of Greenville, SC, and Ronald (Mary) Klemm of St. Joseph, four grandchildren Eric (Hannah) Klemm and Jesse Klemm of Greenville, SC, Alexa Klemm and Jacob Klemm of St. Joseph, MI. She leaves behind many friends and extended family and will be enormously missed by all who knew her
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:00 AM, Saturday, July 23, 2016 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church St. St. Joseph. Friends may visit Friday, July 22, 2016 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd. St. Joseph. Joyce will be laid to rest at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be made to Joyce & Frank Klemm Scholarship for Elementary Education at Lake Michigan College,www.lakemichigancollege.edu/donate or Sarett Nature Center, Benton Harbor, MI. Those wishing to sign Joyce’s guestbook may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com.