Joyce (Pappana) Lehrke Obit

JOYCE (RAPPANA) LEHRKE, 88, of Oakdale, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Dec.  1, 2025 at New Perspective Senior Living in Oakdale. She was born in Crosby on June 30, 1937. She met the love of her life, Donald E. Lehrke, when she was in elementary school, and they were married Aug. 9, 1958. Joyce and Don lived in Crosby until 1964 and then moved to McGregor for a year before moving to Cambridge where they raised their girls, Kim and Kelli. Joyce was a dedicated stay at home mother for many years. After the girls got older, she ventured into the working world, first selling Avon. From there she worked at Cambridge Memorial Hospital for several years before finding her true passion, working as a Travel Agent until her retirement. Joyce loved to travel and has been to all continents and countries too many to mention. After the passing of her husband, Joyce moved to the Twin Cities, where she continued as a Travel Agent and taking time to see the world. In her retirement, Joyce volunteered at the WWII Military Museum in Naples, FL. She enjoyed connecting with veterans and their families and sharing their stories with museum visitors. She had the privilege of accompanying two honors flights to Washington DC, where she escorted veterans to the WWII memorial. This was a very important part of her retirement life. In the early 90’s Joyce had a long-term relationship with Dick Zalusky. They enjoyed traveling, time at Joyce’s cabin in Fifty Lakes and their winter home in Naples, FL. She moved to New Perspective in 2022 where she lived until her passing.   Joyce is survived by her daughters Kimberly Meck and Kelli Melting, son-in-law Terry Melting, grandchildren Danille Meck, Katie (Joe) Dalluhn, Allison Melting and Katherine (Matt) Bahr. Her great-grandchildren Jade, Brody, Bristol and Myles Dalluhn, William and David Bahr. She is preceded in death by her parents, Eddy and Belva Rappana, husband Donald Lehrke, in-laws Edward and Ruth Lehrke, son in law Bill Schultz and her sister Judy Adams. A private family service will be held in the Twin Cities.