Joyce Busscher

Joyce Busscher was a unique woman who lived an amazing life. She was a fun, friendly person who easily connected with people. Most of all she was a woman who opened her home and her heart to all who knew her.

As the leaves began to turn in the beautiful town of Saugatuck, Joyce and her twin sister, Kathryn, were born September 19, 1927 to John and Esther (Nielsen) Hacklander. They joined their brother, Bill, and sisters, Jeanne and Helen, in the family’s Saugatuck home, the community where she would spend her entire life.

After graduating from Saugatuck High School in 1945, Joyce attended Michigan State University. She donated her time to the March of Dimes, beginning a long time service to the charitable organization. She also volunteered her time to many other organizations. As a Cub Scout Den Mother, she and her troop planted maple trees along Water and Butler streets in downtown Saugatuck. The trees still stand there today as a living legacy of her devotion to the community.

Joyce fell in love with a wonderful man named Harv Busscher. The happy couple married on October 7, 1950 beginning an amazing life together. Soon, they were the proud parents of five fine children; daughters Pam, Deni, and Lissa, and sons Jeff and Kim.

In 1958, Joyce and Harv bought a gravel pit located on the shores of Lake Michigan, seeing the land for the potential and beauty it held. Lake Park Trailer Resort was born. Over the next 50 years, the couple turned it into a delightful vacation haven, forming many fond memories and friendships with their guests. Many children came to call her “Grammy Joyce” because of her loving, caring manner and positive influence to all. Joyce was fond of saying, “Come to the lake and leave your troubles at home.”

Joyce went to work as a field representative for the March of Dimes in 1968, after almost 20 years of volunteering. She retired in 1982 to devote her time to running the resort with Harv and her family. Joyce loved living her life on the lake and welcomed people to the resort up until her passing.

Sadly, she was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2007 and successfully completed her chemotherapy. Despite overcoming cancer, she unexpectedly passed away August 6, 2008 at her home on the lake.

Joyce is survived by her husband, Harv, daughters, Pam (Chuck) Alvey of Reno, NV, Deni (Joe) Poplawski of Las Vegas, NV, Lissa (John) Garrod of Galesburg, MI, sons, Jeff (Maureen) Busscher of Jupiter, FL, Kim (Lucy) Busscher of Saugatuck, twelve grandchildren, five great grandchildren and a large, loving extended family. Joyce was preceded in death by her twin sister, Kathryn, and her brother, Bill. The family will receive friends from 1-4 and 6-8 Sunday at the Mulder Chapel of Dykstra Life Story Funeral Home, 188 W. 32nd St. Holland. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am Monday at the First Congregational Church of Saugatuck, 296 Hoffman St. Saugatuck. Memorials may be given to the March of Dimes or the Grand Junction Congregational Church Rebuilding Fund. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to sign a guest register or share a memory for the family.