Joyce Kozitka

Joyce Marie (Clark) Kozitka was born in Jefferson County, Port Townsend, Washington on July 13, 1972. Her parents were Edward and Shirley (Luke) Clark. Joyce graduated from Evergreen High School in Burien, Washington with the Class of 1990.

She was a manager of Sub 13 in Burien, Washington. Joyce also worked for an Airplane company, where she prepared food for flights. Joyce began a family with Brian Gorentz in the early 1990’s and they welcomed their first daughter Amber Rose Gorentz in October 1992, and thirteen months later in December 1993, they welcomed their second child Ashley Ann (Ashton) Gorentz. Joyce and Brian moved to the Vergas, MN area around 1995. She then later moved to Perham, MN and worked throughout a few years for Barrel O’Fun and R.D. Offutt Farms. She was also raising her children. A short time later, Brian and Joyce separated; Joyce met Richard ‘Rick’ Kozitka.

Within a few years Joyce married Rick, and they raised Amber and Ashton together. Joyce and Richard were married in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1997 and resided in Perham, Minnesota. In the early 2000’s, Joyce met Mathew Dauner and began a relationship; some years later they remained close friends and took care of each other.

 In 2014, Joyce had a tragic accident that ultimately resulted in her losing her limbs. For 5 years she showed us that nothing could stop her from doing what everyone else can do.  Since 2019, Joyce has been a residence at Blue Sky, Moorhead, Minnesota. Joyce enjoyed cooking, cleaning, concerts, and skiing at the resorts in Washington and spending time at the ocean in her early years. Joyce was a knowledgeable person and she tried to do everything she could to help people. Getting to see family and being a grandma was the most important thing to Joyce, along with taking care of her pug, Tucker, and beloved cat Tommy.

Joyce passed away on July 14, 2020 in Fargo, North Dakota surrounded by her loved ones at Sanford Health (Broadway) at 48 years of age.  She will be dearly missed by everyone that knew her. Preceding Joyce in death is her Daughter: Amber Gorentz; Parents: Edward and Shirley Clark; Niece: Carina Kendrick; and Best friend: James ‘Jim’ Warren.

Joyce is survived by her Husband: Richard Kozitka of Perham, Minnesota; Children: Amber (Brian Goeden) Gorentz of Wadena, Minnesota and Ashton (Cassandra Hill) Gorentz of Fargo, North Dakota; Father of her children: Brian Gorentz of Vergas, Minnesota; Special friend: Mathew Dauner of Fargo, North Dakota; Grandchildren: Caiden Gorentz and Gunnar Goeden; Sister: Debbie Kendrick of Auburn, Washington; Brothers: Randy (Debbie) Clark of Kent, Washington; Terry (Michelle) Clark of Renton, Washington; Bruce (Dara) Clark of Renton, Washington; Eddie (Jeanie) Clark of Seattle, Washington; Johnny (Shannon) Clark of Kirkland, Washington; and many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, other relatives.

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