Joyce Bruers (Bruers) Lortie

Joyce Lortie, 86, of Bemidji, MN died Monday, February 8, 2021 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Memorial services will be held 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 24, 2021 at Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home in Bemidji.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.  Inurnment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Bemidji.

Joyce Bruers was born October 14, 1934 in Clyde, ND to Theodore & Edwina Bruers.  As a young girl her family moved to Bemidji.  She graduated from Bemidji High School in 1952.  She met the love of her life, Donald Lortie, and were married on April 24, 1955.  Together they raised their four children.  Joyce worked for Gatke Bookkeeping and the Bemidji Speedway.  She loved being a teacher’s aide for Mrs. Downward at Lincoln School for several years.  Joyce also enjoyed getting involved with the Bemidji Gun Club spending time with “Pete”.  Finally, she became a bookkeeper for Swedmark’s Hardware Hank for many years until she retired.  Joyce enjoyed reading, gardening, record keeping and crocheting.  She and her good neighbor and friend Pearl Skime loved their time having rummage sales and socializing.  Joyce loved her many coffee visits with Jan Dryer, Darlene Dillon, Sharon Berg, and Shirley Bruers.

She is survived by her daughter, Nancy (Craig) Cameron; sons, Lyle (Jodi), Bruce and Thomas (Lori Perry) Lortie; brothers, Jim & Tom Bruers; sister-in-law, Shirley Bruers and brother-in-law, John Lortie.  Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; husband; infant son, Lynn; sister, Elaine Valencia; brothers John & Bill Bruers.

Memorials preferred to Sanford Home Care & Hospice.

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