Joyce M. Dingeldein

Joyce Mary Dingeldein, 92, of Mikado, MI passed away Sunday, May 7, 2023, at home surrounded by her family. Born June 3, 1930, on the family farm in Mikado, she was the daughter of the late Ernest and Alice (Nedo) Michaud. On October 27, 1951, Joyce married Curtis Dingeldein and quickly settled into her role of military wife. Soon after, the first of the Dingeldein children, Dawn Marie, was born. The following sixteen years would bring five more additions: Dara, Dale, Denise, Douglas, and Donald. Throughout those years, Joyce packed her family up and moved across the country and around the world without complaint. Over the course of Curt’s career, the family moved to Alaska, Idaho, New York, Scotland, Spain, and Maryland before finally retiring to Mikado following the devastating loss of their eldest daughter. Joyce faced each move and every challenge throughout her life with a brave face and a “we will work it out” mantra. She possessed a spirit of kindness and charity that is unmatched by many, and she always bypassed the finer things in life in favor of frugality. Joyce was a lifelong member of St. Raphael Catholic Church in Mikado where she served on the Altar Society, helped with the CSA and taught CCD for many, many years. She volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul for as long as she was physically able and then continued her support in other ways following. Joyce also supported the Mikado Goodfellows by attending bingo faithfully, always claiming that it was because it was “for a good cause”! She enjoyed knitting, crocheting and sewing and had made many hats, baby blankets and lap robes over the years for the local hospitals and baby pantries. Joyce enjoyed trips to the casino, playing cards with family, reading and watching sports, especially her Green Bay Packers. Joyce is survived by her children, Dara (Rod) Indish, Dale (Kathy) Dingeldein, Denise (Robert) Bateman, Douglas (Cheryl Buczek) Dingeldein and Donald (Dr. Jennifer) Dingeldein; sister, Faye (Carl Larson) Frayer; sister-in-law, Alberta Michaud; grandchildren, David (Melissa) Indish, Theresa (Timothy) Zollars, Lisa (Douglas) Blake, Krystal (Dr. Douglas) Leichtner, James (Tirena) Dingeldein, Gerald (Mandi) Dingeldein, Jonathan Dingeldein, Nathan (Lydia) Butler, William Gage (Dr. Stephanie) Dingeldein and Noelle Dingeldein; great-grandchildren, Ajax, Noomi, Vivian, Katelyn, Maxwell, Sophia, Owen, Blaire, Adalynn and one due to arrive in the coming months; a host of nieces and nephews; and her longtime, faithful feline companion, Cat. Welcoming her to Heaven were her daughter, Dawn; husband, Curtis; parents, Ernest and Alice; and her siblings and siblings-in-law, Lorraine (Frank) Bobick, Clara (Joe) Watson, Donald Michaud, Leo Michaud and Everett Frayer. A memorial mass will take place at St. Raphael Catholic Church on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 11:00 AM with a luncheon to follow at Mikado Hall. Joyce will be laid to rest privately at St. Raphael Cemetery alongside Dawn and Curtis. Contributions in her memory may be made to Mikado Goodfellows. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joyce M. Dingeldein, please visit our flower store.