Joyce Elaine (Lauritsen) Gatlin, 87, our mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, has passed on to eternity. She left this world on Monday, December 23, 2019. We grieve, but not as those who are without hope. This dear lady has gone ahead of us and someday we will see her again.
Joyce leaves a legacy of faith, evident every day in her love for God and for others, as she always found a way to help those in need. Joyce met life’s challenges with great resourcefulness and always with joy. She leaves her family a legacy of learning and travel. She taught her children that education has value beyond description and that the world is exciting, open, and inviting. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have seized this legacy as they pursue all manner of learning and continue to travel the world – full of curiosity and love for others.
Joyce was born August 14, 1932 to Joseph and Esther (Treat) Lauritsen in her grandparents’ home in Gem, Kansas. The Lauritsen farm, where she spent her childhood, was homesteaded in 1884 by her paternal grandfather who immigrated from Denmark in 1880. Joyce attended the first six grades of school at the Tully School and grades 7-12 at the Gem School. While a student at the Gem School, she enjoyed playing volleyball, basketball and ping pong, singing in the Glee Club, and acting in operettas. She attended Ottawa University for one year, majoring in elementary education and then married Calvin Gatlin on August 12, 1951.
Eight children were born to this marriage, four boys and four girls. Joyce loved being a full-time wife and mother for her family. Her example taught her children to love God and one another. With her guidance, her family learned to work together to accomplish family goals. She attended her children’s school programs, music concerts, athletic events, and parent teacher conferences. She was a 4-H leader, Girl Scout leader, and Cub Scout leader for many years. Her summers were filled with gardening, canning, 4-H projects, an annual two-week family camping trip, and the county fair. Joyce continued to support her children after they left home for college, married, and started their own families.
Joyce enjoyed her role as a grandmother. Holidays were filled with Joyce’s home-made foods, planned outings, and hours of games. She treasured the time she had with each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and they loved the time they had with her.
Joyce took great pleasure in the connection with her family in Denmark. From the time her cousins Conrad and Inger Sahlholdt visited Kansas in 1955, Joyce maintained correspondence – only ending with her passing. In 1996, Joyce and her oldest son, Kenneth, traveled to Denmark and visited the family, as well as the Sahlholdt Farm, where her grandfather lived before immigrating to the United States.
Joyce was involved and provided much leadership to the Lone Star and Colby Presbyterian Churches. She was president of the Colby United Presbyterian Women’s group for many years, organized World Day of Prayer services and hunter suppers, and taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School classes.
Joyce became a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in 1980. Through her 39 years of membership she enjoyed friendships with women from all over Kansas. Joyce was Grand Worthy Matron for several terms and served in many other roles.
Joyce enjoyed Senior Citizen Golden Passport trips with the Hill City Bank. Her oldest daughter, Wilma, was the organizer of these trips and her oldest son, Kenneth, was her traveling companion. Joyce loved nothing more than seeing something new.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Robert, “Frog” Lauritsen. She is survived by her brother Wayne Lauritsen and his wife Millie, and her eight children (and their spouses): Kenneth Gatlin of Colby, KS, Wilma Lauber (Mike) of Hill City, KS, Rita Crews (Paul) of Neosho, MO, David Gatlin (Oleva, of Shell Knob, MO, Dorothy Macy (Kenton) of Charleston IL, Diana Weatherford (Kim) of Flower Mound, TX, Duane Gatlin (Christina) of Tomball, TX, and Terry Gatlin (Michelle) of Pratt, KS; sixteen grandchildren (and their spouses): Amber Morris (Phil, McKinzie Newman (Joe, Matthew Crews, Maria Crews, Nathan Macy, Aaron Macy, Stacia Macy, Emma Weatherford, Abby Weatherford, Jonathan Gatlin, Andrew Gatlin, Sarah Gatlin, Elijah Gatlin, Samuel Gatlin, Gabriela Gatlin, and Luke Gatlin; seven great grandchildren: Ethen, Shaelyn, Tyler, Bryden, Payton, Anna, and Paul.
Arrangements are pending with Baalmann Mortuary, 190 S. Franklin Ave. Colby, Kansas 67701.