Joyce La Vonne (Vinz) Tellijohn

Joyce La Vonne Tellijohn, age 86 of Le Sueur, died Friday, September 10, 2021 at the Laurels Peak Rehabilitation Center in Mankato.  Her Memorial Service will be 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 18 at Grace Lutheran Church in Le Sueur.  Visitation will be 2 hours prior to the service at the church.  Interment will be in Mound Cemetery, Le Sueur.

Joyce was born on the family farm in Spencer, SD on March 2, 1935 to Henry and Freda (Meuler) Vinz.  She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spencer.  She attended a one-room grade school, and graduated from Spencer High School in 1953.

Following high school she moved to Le Sueur, MN, where she just so happened to meet the love of her life, Emil “Jr.” Tellijohn, at the town’s Fireman’s Dance.  They were united in marriage on May 29, 1955 at her hometown church, Trinity Lutheran, in Spencer; and spent the rest of their lives living within the Le Sueur community.

Joyce worked for Green Giant as a Lab Technician up until they started a family; she then stayed home to raise their seven children.  After her children were grown, she returned to Green Giant for a few years.  From Green Giant she began her long career with the Le Sueur school system, where she worked various jobs.  She was able to retire in 1998.

She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Le Sueur and was involved with the Women of Grace guild, sang in the church choir, taught Sunday school, and was a leader for the Lutheran Girl Pioneer Group.

Joyce’s biggest passion in life was her family. She was an excellent baker and loved to bake for her large family.  She also enjoyed tending to her flower gardens, and cooking.  She also enjoyed playing games and reading with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Ricky (Melissa) Tellijohn of N. Mankato, Marilyn (Ernest) Schlingman of Le Sueur, Carolyn (Jay) Stueven of Le Sueur, Donna (Dale) Lehman of Le Sueur, Cindy (Neal) Tellijohn Wilson of Dennison, MN, and David (Michael Scott) Tellijohn of Clive, IA; son-in-law, Dave Sonnek; grandchildren, Jacob Tellijohn, Christopher (Alicia Pivec), Coralyn, and Keith (Marie) Stueven, Anthony and Matthew Lehman, Shelby and Aidan Tellijohn Wilson, and Paul (Dani), Grant, and John Sonnek; great-grandchildren, Damien Stueven, Drake Sloan, Isaiah Pivec, Max Mattocks, and Cecelia and Henry Stueven; siblings, Linda Sieverding, David (Marianne) Vinz, Betty Schoon, and Bryan (Rachel) Vinz; brothers-sisters-in-law, Mary Vinz, Leona Vinz, Anna Kay Vinz, Doug Mokros, Mary Jane Voss, and Francis Link; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Emil; daughter, Julie Sonnek; siblings, Virgil (Shirley) Vinz, Charlotte (Maurice) Schimmel, Vivian (Verle) Tilley, Juanita Martin (Bernard Martin and James Eriser), Henry (Joyce) Vinz, Virginia Vinz (in infancy), Warren Vinz, James (Shirley) Vinz, Duane Vinz, and Celeste Mokros; and brothers-sisters-in-law, Robert Sieverding, and Ronald Schoon.

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