Joyce Lorenz

Joyce Louise Rohling Lorenz was born Jan. 30, 1943, in Watonga to Deak and Louise Rohling and passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of May 12, 2020, at the age of 77.

Joyce was a lifelong resident of Watonga and member of the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church. She attended Watonga Public Schools and graduated from WHS in 1961.

She worked as an administrative assistant for many years at Opportunities, Inc. while raising her family in Watonga.

Joyce then courageously returned to college later in life to finish her degree and earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 1991, after which she worked as a Registered Nurse until her retirement.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Deak and Louise Rohling; her brother, Vance Rohling; her infant son, Leslie Lorenz; and her granddaughter, Katlyn Biggs.

She is survived by two sons and a daughter: son David Lorenz and wife Christie of Omega; son Mark Lorenz of Watonga; and daughter Angie Holsten of Enid.

She is also survived by her sister Debbie Roberts of Wichita, Kan.; grandchildren Austin Lorenz, Chase Lorenz, Cale Lorenz and Natalie Holsten; and great-grandchildren Kiian Lorenz and Marley Lorenz, as well as numerous friends.

Joyce grew up on the Rohling family farm near Omega and enjoyed working with and showing heifers in 4-H and, later, in FFA. She was FFA queen in high school, as well as a clarinet player and twirler for the marching band.

Throughout life she talked about how much she enjoyed band and often attended WHS band concerts over the years. She also looked forward to seeing the Trans-Siberian Orchestra live annually during holiday season.

Joyce enjoyed cooking and was an excellent cook; she also liked spending time gardening and crocheting. After retirement, she loved spending time camping, cooking over the campfire, fishing, boating, and four-wheeling, sometimes for weeks at a time.

Joyce was always an animal lover, particularly spoiling her dogs and cats. Most of all, Joyce deeply loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was ever supportive and generous, as well a constant source of unconditional love. Those who knew her loved her. She will be greatly missed.

A private memorial service for Joyce will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 19, at the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Watonga with Pastors Orval Peters and Matthew Larson officiating.

A public graveside service will follow in the Kingfisher Cemetery at 2 p.m. with Wilkinson Mortuary in charge of arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Friends for Life in Clinton or Watonga Community Cat Foundation.