Joyce Annette (Gensley) Burns, born December 13, 1959, to Dolores and Louis Gensley, passed away on April 22, 2026, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.

Joyce lived a faithful life marked by deep kindness, unwavering love, and quiet strength. She showcased kindness in all circumstances, through pain, illness, and disappointment. She honored God with her life and her family, always thinking of others first.

Known by many names, Mom, sister, Grandma, Mama Burns, Generous Joyce, Bugga, Nawny, Grandma Joyce, she was a steady and loving presence to all who knew her. She loved faithfully and fiercely, never giving up on anyone, always “counting” every person as worthy of love and belonging. Once loved by Joyce Burns, always loved by Joyce Burns.

Even in the face of illness, Joyce carried herself with courage and grace. From the very beginning, her desire was not just to endure, but to stay longer for the people she loved. Her strength was rooted in her faith and in her deep love for her family. She lived with an eternal perspective, storing up riches in Heaven and not being consumed by the concerns of this world.

Joyce is survived by her sisters: Jeanette (Mike) Battista, Sue (Chuck) Drianis, Carol (Jens) Kuehne, Christine (Christopher) Butler and Nancy (Ricke) Rosselle; her children: Andrew (Amanda) Burns, Alex (Melissa) Burns, Alyssa (Austin) Duncan, and Aimee (David) Klevorn; and her 13 beloved grandchildren: Paige, Aubrey, Ayden, Addison, Maryah, Isaac, Jason, Jude, Javier, Ava, Della, Greyson, Gideon, with another on the way. Her love extended beyond titles and circumstances, and she held close all who became part of her family, including Kassi Burns and Josue Pineda, reflecting her lifelong commitment to loving people without condition.

Her life and legacy reflect the truth she lived every day: to love intentionally, to forgive freely, and to hold fast to faith. The impact of her life will continue through those who knew and loved her.

As Scripture reminds us, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13)

A celebration of life will be held at Harbor Light Community Chapel on Saturday, May 2 at 11 am with a luncheon afterwards at VFW hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites those who feel led to consider a donation to the Harbor Light Christian School scholarship fund, a place that deeply impacted the lives of her children and grandchildren and remained close to her heart. Gifts can be made to the Swordsman Scholarship Fund at Harbor Light Community Chapel. 

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