Joyce M. Zunich

To watch a recording of the service, please use the link: https://youtu.be/rcW6dLQx3RM 

Joyce M. Zunich, very unexpectedly passed away at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND surrounded by her loving family.

Phillip J. Senechal and Evelyn M. (Cote) Senechal welcomed Joyce into their lives on  May 19, 1942 in Bottineau, ND. After just one year of public schooling, she began school at the North Dakota School for the Deaf in Devil’s Lake, ND, with her sister Diane, after the superintendent visited the family farm in Overly, ND to recommend their attendance. It was at the School for the Deaf that she met her husband, Joseph O. Zunich, Jr.

Joyce enjoyed her time at school but it was difficult for her to leave her family behind. She loved going home for the holidays and summer break. After graduating, she spent one year at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC before transferring to Aaker College in Fargo, ND. Her marriage to Joseph took place in Willow City, ND in 1964. They lived in Williston, ND before moving to Grand Forks, ND, where she worked for the J.R Simplot Company for 34 years. Joe and Joyce moved into their home in East Grand Forks, MN in 1970, where they raised their family and created many memories.

Joyce was a gifted sewist, gardener, and cook. As she aged, she continued to enjoy gardening, cooking, preserving, sewing, traveling, and spending time with her family. She was a good student, as well as a cheerleader, and was proud to have been elected homecoming queen at the School for the Deaf in 1962. Her sweet smile and silly sense of humor made itself known when re-telling the story of her boyfriend Joe speeding up front in a shiny black car, only identified by others when he lowered his sunglasses. She, along with her husband, Joe, were active members of the Grand Forks Deaf Club, where they made a difference in the Deaf community and fostered treasured relationships.

She was a kind, gentle, and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who loved nothing more than serving her family, always providing an environment of unconditional love, acceptance, and support. Joyce was the embodiment of patience, grace, compassion, selflessness, and so much strength. She was the kind of woman that loved with her whole heart, served others without question, and laughed until everyone’s cheeks hurt, the ultimate role model.

She is survived by her children Daphne (Gary) Swiatko, Eleva, WI, Brent (Carla) Zunich, Thompson, ND, Tammy (Mark) Zunich-Andersen, Park Rapids, MN, and Brenda Zunich-Espelund, East Grand Forks, MN; her grandchildren Chaz Larson, Alexa (Lewis) Deitchler, Dyllon (Krystal) Larson, Cody (Shelby) Larson, Jessica (Zach) Nash, Lauren Swiatko, Brady Larson, Kayla (Roger) Thorp, Joe Swiatko, John Swiatko, Caroline Swiatko, Ciara Zunich, Callie Zunich; great-grandchildren, Riley Kollm, Kloee Larson, Oaklee Larson, Willow Deitchler, Olive Deitchler, Payton Larson, Evalie Larson, Hazel Deitchler, Eric Nash, Oliver Larson, and Lewis Rowan Deitchler; and siblings, Keith (Janet) Senechal, (Cheryl) Senechal, Diane (Jim) Senechal, Orlan (Carolyn) Senechal, and Shirley (John) Voeller.

She was preceded in death by her father, Phillip J. Senechal, her mother, Evelyn M. (Cote) Senechal, her brother Myron Senechal, her sister in law Ardis Zunich, and her beloved husband, Joseph O Zunich, Jr.

At the family's request, masks are required.