Joyce Bortz Saelens, 88, passed away peacefully on November 28, 2022 at Columbine West Health and Rehab. Joyce was born on August 12, 1934 to William Lavern and Velma Mae (Boyd) Amerine in Great Bend, KS. She grew up on a farm outside of Great Bend where she was involved in 4-H and orchestra. Joyce attended and graduated from Great Bend High School in 1952.
Joyce married her first love, Eugene “Gene” W. Bortz, on August 12, 1952 at First Methodist Church in Great Bend. After their wedding, they moved to a family farm outside of Timken and the following year they welcomed twins, Galen and Gail, into their family. Later they lived in Great Bend, KS, Lincoln, NE, and Richardson, TX. In 1988, Gene passed away suddenly and Joyce moved around to San Antonio, TX, Great Bend, KS, Fort Collins, CO, and Loveland, CO. On April 22, 1995, Joyce married Frank Saelens in a ceremony at First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins, CO and they made their home in Loveland.
Throughout her life, Joyce worked at Woolworth, several banks, LaQuinta Motor Inns as a Manager and Instructional Coordinator. When she moved to Fort Collins, she worked for Nadent South. She was a member of First Methodist Church in Great Bend and First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins where she served as a Stephen Minister. She was also a member of Sesostris Patrol Wives, Daughters of the Nile, and the American Institute of Banking.
Joyce loved being a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was such a loving and nurturing person to those people in her life. She was happiest spending time with her loved ones, working in her flower gardens, bird watching, doing puzzles, and decorating her house for the holidays.
Joyce is survived by her husband, Frank of Loveland, CO; her brother, Richard (Marlene) Amerine of Hoisington, KS; her son, Galen (Diane) Bortz of Moorcroft, WY; and her daughter, Gail (JD) Mullen of Fort Collins, CO. She is also survived by her step-children, Keri Christensen, Mike (Wendy) Saelens, and Daryl Saelens; grandchildren, Jeanette Nelson, William Bortz, Chelsea Mullen, Jamie Mullen, and Kelsey Christensen; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Joyce will be missed by all those who knew and loved her.
Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 29, 2022, at Bryant Fuenral Home, in Great Bend, KS, with Reverend Joseo Smeragliuolo presiding. Inurnment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery.
Memorials have been designated to Parkinson’s and Brain Research Foundation, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.