I. Joyce Sherrell

I. Joyce (Boersema) Sherrell, 94, of Holland, went to her Lord and Savior while peacefully asleep on February 22, 2021.

She was born in Holland’s first hospital on July 28, 1926, the tenth of 11 children. Joyce is preceded in death by her husband, Frederick Sherrell, her daughter, Deborah Joyce (Sherrell) Daley, her parents, Peter & Hattie Boersema, five sisters, Jean Lamberts, Rachel Vanden Brink, Faye Molenkamp, Nancy Engbring, Phyllis Bolte, and five brothers, Jake, Frank, Buddy, and infant twins, Frank L. and Frank R.

Surviving are her daughters, Paulette Sherrell of Carson City, Nevada, and Susan Sherrell of Grand Rapids, her granddaughter, Amber (Tom) Ver Burg, and her great-grandchildren, Brandon and Jessica Ver Burg. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends and neighbors. Joyce had a particularly wonderful long-standing relationship with her dear friend, Shirley Kuykendall.

Joyce was a long-time active member of Zion Lutheran Church and of Radient Rebekah Lodge, #307, a service community group. Additionally, she was a member of the Holland Museum and the Red Tulips Chapter of the Red Hat Society. She also volunteered with the Greater Holland and Michigan United Way.

Her life work was involved in organized labor, being President of Life Saver’s Union and a member of CLUW. She was inspired by women like Genora Dollinger, Nellie Besson Hendrix and Crystal Lee Sutton (the original Norma Rae), who was one of the Union activists during the JP Stevens controversy. Joyce retired from Life Saver after 19 years.

Many will remember her love for her beautiful garden and her joy in bringing special baked goodies to her many friends.

The family is grateful to Hospice of Holland for their excellent end of life care.

Joyce’s wishes were to be cremated and to hold a celebration of life at a later date.

Memorial contributions can be made to Zion Lutheran Church, 77 West 32nd Street, Holland, MI 49423.