Joyce Mary Denzer

JOYCE MARY DENZER, age 77, of Blaine, formerly of Montgomery, died following a three-year courageous battle with cancer on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at her home.

Born on January 26, 1948, in New Prague, she was the daughter of William and Bessie (Preslicka) Pecholt. She received her education at St. Wenceslaus Catholic School in New Prague. On November 16, 1964, Joyce was united in marriage to Clifford Denzer in Iowa. Together they lived in Le Center, New Prague, and Lexington before settling in Montgomery. Throughout her life, Joyce worked various jobs, most notably for EF Johnson Company in Waseca and Green Giant / Seneca in Montgomery until her retirement in 2002. In retirement Joyce and Clifford began RV’ing across the country, settling in Weslaco, Texas and lastly in Branson, Missouri before moving back to Minnesota to be closer to family.

Joyce enjoyed going for her daily walks, playing Sudoku, and bird watching; she was known as the Hummingbird Whisperer. She was an avid sports fan and loved following the Minnesota Vikings and Twins. In her younger years, she was in the bowling league in Montgomery. Joyce loved her faith, reading her bible daily and regularly attending bible studies. She was a part of “Operation Christmas Child” where she would pack boxes for children that would be sent to missions around the world. Joyce “Chocolate Grandma” never forgot a birthday and always had cards ready for each one of her grandchildren and great grandchildren who she cherished dearly.

Joyce is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Cliff of Blaine; children: Sheila (Thomas) Gerlich of Le Sueur, Vicki (Deb Bloom) Denzer of Blaine and Darrin (Tricia) Denzer Fair Grove, MO; grandchildren: Brittany (Brandon) Greeley, Brandon (Katie) Bartyzal, Tyler Gelich, and Tawny Denzer; 11 great grandchildren; siblings: William (Marlene) Pecholt, Ruth (Ron) Kopet, Allen Pecholt, Donna (Greg) Burns, Wayne Pecholt, and James Pecholt; sisters-in-law: Agnes Tuma and Margaret (Michael) LaPlant; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; and siblings: Robert Pecholt, Daniel Pecholt, Sharon (Emil) Moran, Darlene (Stan) Pelcl, Karen Pecholt, and Brenda Starnes.

Funeral Service will be 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the Montgomery Chapel of Schoenbauer Funeral Homes. Interment will be at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the funeral on Saturday.