Age 96 of Inver Grove Heights
Joyce Marie Meissner was born to William Adam Orf and Della Lena Marie Kulenkamp on July 16, 1928, in their home in Hudson, Wisconsin. She was a woman of deep faith, unwavering love, and boundless energy.
She was baptized on August 12, 1928, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Burkhardt, WI, and later confirmed in her faith at Salem Lutheran Church in West St. Paul on March 29, 1942.
As a teenager, she worked as a car hop on roller skates at her parents’ 10 Acre Drive-In in West St. Paul, a glimpse into the hardworking and lively spirit that would define her life.
On February 7, 1948, she married Robert E. Wills and dedicated herself to raising their six children—five sons and one daughter. She was a devoted homemaker, later working as the head waitress at Mendakota Country Club before transitioning to office work there and helping at the family TV repair business.
She had a love for life’s simple joys—gardening, bowling, puzzles, and singing along with the player piano. Her creativity shone through in sewing, quilting, knitting, and crocheting. She crafted many of her dresses in earlier years and later created exquisite quilts, each one hand-stitched with love.
On September 24, 1978, she and Rev. Reuben Meissner joined their lives in marriage. She wholeheartedly embraced her role as a pastor’s wife, joyfully serving alongside him at Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church in Eagan, St. John’s Lutheran Church in Rushford, MN, and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Goodhue, MN.
In retirement, she and Reuben moved to Amery, WI, before settling in Inver Grove Heights in 1999 to be closer to family. She remained active, participating in Silver Sneakers, book clubs, and the card games 500 and Hand and Foot. She also volunteered at Emanuel Lutheran Church, played the Bells, and even directed the choir for a time. She was always on the go. Getting her on the phone often meant hearing her voicemail because she was off visiting, volunteering, or socializing!
She cherished family traditions, especially “Apple Pie Day,” where she organized a pie-making production, ensuring everyone went home with delicious homemade apple pies. Her sugar cookies, shaped for different occasions, were legendary, as were her pecan pie bars at family picnics. Root beer floats were a must at gatherings! Christmas at her home was a grand affair, sometimes hosting up to 60 family members. She made sure the celebration was centered on faith, with a grandchild reading the Christmas Story from the Bible and her sharing the Christian Candy Cane story with everyone.
A meticulous and sentimental soul, she saved every piece of schoolwork, artwork, and letter from her children, eventually gifting them back in a nostalgic walk down memory lane.
She continued serving others well into her 90s, delivering meals for Meals on Wheels until retiring from that role at 91. At 93, she finally gave up driving and moved to Lexington Pointe in Eagan, where she thrived as the social butterfly she had always been.
Through it all, her faith remained her guiding light. She placed her trust in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and saw herself as abundantly blessed. Those who knew her often spoke of the blessing she was in their lives, a testament to the kindness and love she shared so freely. Her faith shone brightly in all she did, leaving a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to know her.
At age 96, Joyce was called home to the Lord on February 24, 2025, surrounded by the love and prayers of her family.
She was welcomed into eternal rest by her husbands, Rev. Reuben Meissner and Robert Wills; her son, Richard Wills; brother, Robert Orf; stepdaughter, Debbie Kelm; and stepson-in-law, Jason Taterka.
She leaves behind a legacy of love and faith in her devoted children: Mike (Kathy) Wills, John (Michelle) Wills, Peter (Patricia) Wills, Nancy (Will) Kolesar, Tom (Kathy) Wills; and stepchildren, Lois Egan, Richard (Beverly) Meissner, Cindy Tonia, Janet Taterka, and Mary (Jay) Tetzloff. She was a beloved grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother whose love knew no bounds. She is also survived by her sister, Joan Grossmann; brothers, Roger (Jean) Orf and Ronald (Sandy) Orf; sister-in-law, Sharon Orf; and an abundance of dear family and friends.
Joyce will be deeply missed, but her love, faith, and legacy will live on in the hearts of all who were touched by her remarkable life.
A celebration of Joyce’s life and faith will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, March 7th, at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 2075 70th St., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation will take place from 9:30 to 11:00 AM prior to the service at the church. She will be laid to rest at Emanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery.