Joyce Elaine Felske

Joyce Elaine Felske, 83, of Fort Collins, passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 15, 2018. She was a loving mother and wife who treasured family, friends, travel and history. She was born in Fort Collins in 1934 to Freda E. and William E. Thompson. After graduating from Fort Collins High School in 1953, she went to work as a telephone switchboard operator for Mountain Bell. On May 6, 1953 she married Donald Kenneth Felske before he was deployed to Germany after WWII. When he was discharged in 1954 they settled in Fort Collins. Since she loved family, history and travel, Don promised to always take annual vacations to somewhere new. So she had many travel adventures throughout the years and continued the adventures after her husband's passing as long as she could. She worked for the telephone company as an operator, secretary, cashier and administrator over the years. After taking early retirement, she worked at Kunkler's Produce as a bookkeeper and then retired permanently after a few years. Before retirement, she kept active with family with weekend boating, weekly bowling, and Saturday or Sunday card games with the Carrs. Her retirement years were filled with lots of clubs and volunteering including Red Hat Society, Loveland Seniors, Bunco and Pinochle clubs, volunteering at the church and participating in many church activities. After selling her house in Loveland, she moved to Collinwood Assisted Living in Fort Collins and started a new adventure. Always active, she quickly made many friends. Survivors include her daughter Diane Kay Felske of Littleton; son Donald Jay Felske of Fort Collins; as well as many sisters-in-law, a brother-in-law, nieces and nephews, cousins, and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother Dean Thompson; niece Vickie Anderson; brother-in law Wayne Anderson; brother-in-law Art Felske; and close friend Del Carr. A memorial service and interment of Joyce's ashes will take place at 10:30 am Saturday, April 21 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Loveland. Joyce’s friends and fellow residents and staff at Collinwood will celebrate her life and remember her fondly at a separate time on Friday, April 20, at 2:15 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to Collinwood or Trinity Lutheran. Please visit www.goesfuneralcare.com to leave condolences for Joyce's family.