Joycelyn J. Kuhlmann

Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, Joycelyn Juanita (Detty) Kuhlmann, has left us to go home to the Lord, on January 26, 2023, 11 days before her 87th birthday, due to a long battle with dementia.

Joyce was born in a sod house, in Dickens, Nebraska, to Leslie Detty and Clarabelle (Favinger) Detty, on February 6, 1936. As a youngster, Joyce and the family moved from Nebraska to Yakima, Washington, where she lost her mother at the age of seven. Her father later married Irene Lockwood. Joyce graduated from Yakima High School in 1954 and continued her education attending some college.

While attending Franklin Junior High School in 1951, at the age of 15, Joyce met Norm Kuhlmann and they would later marry in May of 1956. Norm joined the Marine Corps, at the age of 17, and they remained a Marine Corps family until November 1, 1976 when he retired and they returned to Yakima to be with their parents. It was during their time in the service that she volunteered for the American Red Cross, both in Yakima and Quantico, Virginia, along with being a homemaker. Locally, she assisted with the blood donation program and participated in the Handicapped Swimming Program, at the YWCA. At Quantico, she comforted and saw to the needs of wounded veterans returning home from Vietnam.

Upon returning to Yakima, Joyce began her career as a counselor with Yakima Consumer Credit Counseling Service for eight years.

Joyce loved playing tennis, at the Yakima Tennis Club, and did so until the knees began to go. Then, she and Norm became avid golfers at the Yakima Elks. For many years, they enjoyed snow-birding in Hemet, California. There, they made many wonderful friends from all over the U.S. and Canada.

Joyce was a delightful, caring lady with a servants heart and a ready laugh. Family and friends alike, knew Joyce to be playful, smart, and quick-witted. Young people, in particular, benefited from her guidance and example. She was skilled in teaching and encouraging them to obtain their goals. Joyce always had time for a friend who needed to talk. She was a good listener and did not advise them as what to do, but would simply listen and then take their cares to the Lord.

Joyce and Norm have been long-time members of Westside Church and have served in many capacities there. They greeted twice a month for 14 years, and counted tithes and offerings every Monday, for seven years. They also assisted with collecting offerings and served as ushers.

Joyce is preceded in death by her parents, Leslie and Clarabelle, step-mother, Irene Lockwood, brothers, Martin and Ernie, step-brother, Alvin Lockwood, and son, Norman Kurt Jr. She is survived by her husband, Norman, daughters, Beckie Laurin and Kathryn Casel, six grandsons, nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A Viewing will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2023, from 3:00-6:00pm, at Shaw & Sons Funeral Home (201 N. 2nd Street, Yakima, WA 98901). A Graveside Service will be held on Friday, February 3, 2023, at 11:00am, at Tahoma Cemetery (1802 Tahoma Ave.). A Reception will follow at Westside Church (6901 Summitview Ave.)

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made payable to the Memorial Foundation and sent in care of Shaw & Sons Funeral Home (201 N. 2nd Street, Yakima, WA 98901), who is caring for the family. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.shawandsons.com

SERVICES
Visitation
Thursday, February 02, 2023
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Shaw and Sons Funeral Home
201 N 2nd St.
Yakima, Washington 98901

Friday, February 03, 2023
11:00 AM
Tahoma Cemetery
1802 Tahoma Avenue
Yakima, WA 98902

Friday, February 03, 2023
12:00 PM
West Side Church
6901 Summitview Ave
Yakima, WA 98908