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Joyce R. Chapek, 74, of Albert Lea passed away Friday March 20, 2020, as a result of a motor vehicle accident.

Joyce Ruth Chapek was born Aug. 12, 1945, to John and Ruby (Truhlar) Freese. She graduated from Rose Creek High School in 1964.

On March 26, 1965, she was united in marriage to Alvin Louis Chapek in rural Austin. To this marriage two children, Jeanette and William, were born. Joyce was married to the love of her life until his passing in 2000.

Joyce was a stay-at-home wife and mom until her children were out of school, though she did do babysitting for friends and neighbors. She would later work at Lunds Foods in Lake Mills for 17 years before retiring at 65 years old. Four years later she decided to go back to work and took a part-time job, which she loved until her passing, at Kentucky Fried Chicken in Albert Lea.

Joyce enjoyed crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, reading her Amish novels and daily devotional. She attended the senior center twice a week, where she loved her exercise classes and the friends she made there. She volunteered at Ruby’s Pantry and SPIRE with the ARC of Freeborn County. More than, anything Joyce loved her family. She enjoyed taking care of the people she loved, whether it was coming over to help clean and cook for special events, or making Grandma’s special treats like nutty bars or banana cream pie or special meals like sour kraut and dumplings.

Survivors include her daughter, Jeanette, and Clifford Burton and their children Brandi Alyce (Tyler) and great-grandson, Hakan, and Makayla and McKenzie Burton; son, William “Bill,” and Cathie Chapek and their children

Sean, Seth and Samantha Chapek; her special dog, Princess; brothers Jack (Karen) Freese and Ward “Pete” (Sue) Freese; and sister, Pearl Ferguson. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and friends who were family to her.

She was preceded in death by her parents John and Ruby; her husband, Alvin; her grandson, Randy Stahl II; five brothers, Elmer Freese, John Freese, Joe Freese, Ray Freese and Frank Freese; and two sisters, Peggy Batdorf and Rosie Haskin.

A visitation is planned from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at Bayview/Funeral Home. Due to government restrictions, the funeral home will allow people in small groups. The funeral will follow, officiated by the Rev. Kaleb Hurley, at  1 p.m. and is open only to immediate family due to restrictions. Graveside burial will be immediately following the funeral at Bohemian Cemetery and is open to anyone who would like to attend. The family will have a celebration of life after a later date. For anyone who has the ability, Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home has offered a Facebook Live of the services for those who are not able to attend. This should air at 1 p.m. on its Facebook page.

God bless her memory, as she will be forever loved.