Joyce Elizabeth Braeuninger

Joyce Elizabeth Braeuninger died on July 26, 2018. She was born in Detroit on January 30, 1942 to Milton W. and Dorothy K. (Erickson) Jumisco. She graduated in 1959 from Royal Oak Clarence M. Kimball High School as class Valedictorian. In 1963, she received an A.B. in Psychology with a Teaching Certificate from the University of Michigan. After graduation, she taught 7th grade math and science for one year at Edmonson Middle School in Willow Run. On July 18, 1964 Joyce married William F. Braeuninger at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Dearborn. She then worked as a counselor at Boys Training School in Lansing until deciding to “retire” to a higher calling of: wife, mother, homemaker. By almost any measure, Joyce was a unique individual. She was proud of her role as a wife, mother, grandmother and friend/mentor. She believed with all her heart in the worth and dignity of each person and was deeply offended by injustice and harm. She was extraordinarily assertive in her insistence that the humanity of each individual comes with rights that should be protected and honored. She was thoroughly determined, yes, opinionated, caring, concerned (perhaps sometimes overly). She firmly believed that one should strive to live an ethical life. Joyce was very creative and artistic, and was blessed with a beautiful singing voice; she sang for many years in choirs beginning in high school and then continuing in church choirs in Lansing, Gaylord and Monroe. She was also the “handyman” that every household needs. She had a deep and abiding interest in politics and served as Chairperson of the Otsego County Democratic Party during the time the family lived in Gaylord. She also taught Sunday School for many years while living in Monroe and Traverse City. Joyce courageously coped for many years with autoimmune medical issues. The severity of such issues greatly increased in the Fall of 2011 when she developed peripheral neuropathy which caused severe and unremitting pain until her death. She suffered this pain without complaint but it took its toll. Joyce had an effervescent smile and the delight of her life was the nurturing of her two daughters and the giving of unwavering support to her husband. Her love for and deep interest in the lives and activities of her four grandchildren was remarkable. Having raised two daughters, the arrival of her four boys was a new and wondrous adventure and experience. She was so proud of each and every grandson. Joyce will be greatly and sadly missed by her husband, her daughters and their families, her other relatives and her many friends. Joyce is survived by her husband; her daughters Catherine Elizabeth (R. Michael) Lewis and Margaret Doris ( Bradford W. III) Shaw; her grandchildren, Benjamin W. Lewis, Alexander M. Lewis, Bradford W. Shaw IV, and Maxwell H. Shaw; her brother, Philip A. Jumisco; and her sister-in-law, Janet A. (Richard) Miller. Burial will be in Roseland Park Cemetery, Woodward Avenue and Twelve Mile Road, Berkley. Any memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Joyce Elizabeth Braeuninger

January 30, 1942 - July 26, 2018