Joyce Elaine (Larson) Kolenko

Joyce Elaine(Larsen) Kolenko, formerly of Coloma, passed away on Monday June 1 at Saint Ann’s  Home in Grand Rapids, MI from complications of Covid-19. She was 92.

Joyce was born September 22, 1927 in Temperance MI to Earl and Helen Larsen.   Her family moved around for several years before settling in Watervliet when she was a junior in High School.  Joyce graduated from Watervliet High School in 1944.  In 1948 she married John Kolenko of Watervliet.

Her greatest joy was her family which included 8 children as well as 12 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.  Aside from raising her children Joyce found the time to work part time at the Boston Store in Coloma and Watervliet for many years. She was active with the Altar and Rosary Society at St. Joseph Catholic Church and held many officer positions during that time.  She was a former school board member at St. Joseph Catholic School and the Coloma School System.  Upon retirement from the Boston Store, Joyce became a volunteer at Watervliet Community Hospital, managing the Park Bench Gift Shop for almost 20 years, volunteering over 10,000 hours!  You could always count on being greeted with a warm hello and an infectious smile whenever you went into the gift shop 

As if not busy enough, she also directed the choir at St. Joseph Catholic Church, participated and assisted in organizing the World Day of Prayer with many other churches, and performed in the Messiah for many years as well. Music was yet another of her greatest loves and she had the voice of a songbird.

Joyce is survived by her children Nancy (Greg) Nichols, John (Dawn) Kolenko, Julie (Dale) O'Chap, Martin Kolenko, Rebecca (Ken) Faultersack, Dan (Gail)  Kolenko, Patrick Kolenko, daughter-in-law Darlene Kolenko, her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and her sister Joan Baty.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years John, her son Ted, sister Doris Distefano and brother Jack Larsen and her parents.

The family will receive visitors on Monday June 8 from 5:00 until 8:00.  Due to current Executive Orders, those attending visitation will be asked to wear a mask and will be directed into the visitation rooms by Hutchins Funeral Home staff to maintain no more than 10 people at a time and social distancing will be maintained.  The Celebration Mass will be held Tuesday, June 9, 11:00 at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Watervliet as guidelines will allow 150 people to attend with required masks and social distancing.  A private burial for immediate family only, will take place at St. Joseph’s Cemetery following the funeral service. Family suggests memorial contributions be made in Joyce's memory to the Franciscan Life Process Center, 11650 Downes Street NE, Lowell, MI 49331 where a memorial tree will be planted in her memory. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joyce Elaine (Larson) Kolenko, please visit our floral store.