Joyce (Barthol) Kuechenmeister

Joyce Kuechenmeister (Barthol) was born in St. Paul, MN on November 9, 1932 and passed away peacefully at home on March 20, 2024 with family members present.

Born to Paul and Grace Barthol, Joyce grew up in St. Paul, attending St. Luke’s Elementary School and graduating in 1950 from St. Joseph’s Academy . It was while attending St. Joe’s that she met the love of her life Leo (Dan) Kuechenmeister. Dan and Joyce were married in 1951 and were blessed to be married for 72 years before Dan’s passing. They lived a full life having 5 children, 10 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Joyce loved to travel, living on the lake, attending the symphony and spending every chance possible with her family and friends.

Joyce believed in giving back - volunteering with various organizations such Children's Home Society and Lutheran Social Services of MN, Loaves and Fishes, as well as singing in a choir at her church and becoming an Extraordinary Minister of Communion both at church and in local nursing homes. It was Joyce’s love of the time she spent working with Children’s Home Society that led Joyce and Dan to establish the Kuechenmeister Endowment fund to help families with the costs of adoption. Knowing that, the family requests that those wishing to honor our mother with a memorial, please make checks payable to the Children's Home Society of Minnesota. Please write on the memo line: "Kuechenmeister Family Endowment Fund".

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband Dan, her parents Grace and Paul Barthol, sister Gloria Schwan. She is survived by her 5 children – Daniel (Pam); Mary Cay (Jerome) Lewis; John (Bobbie); David (Danette); Anne, 10 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, brother Paul (Jeri) Barthol and many relatives and friends.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 pm on April 4, 2024 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, New Brighton, MN immediately followed by a reception at the church to celebrate Joyce’s life. Joyce's family will begin gathering at the church at 11:30 am to meet with family and friends. Burial will be at St. John’s Cemetery following the reception.

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