Joyce Iva Rase

The daughter of the Ira and Iva (Abeare) Garlinghouse was born November 5, 1930 in Flint, Michigan. She was a member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Bay City. Joyce loved to camp and travel around the USA. She loved her family and enjoyed all of the reunions, Christmas parties and all of the holiday dinners at her home. Joyce retired from the Bay City Public Schools as a noon aide of 43 years in 2010. She was a stay at home mother who was very active in her children’s lives and the Bay City Public Schools. As a graduate of TL Handy in 1942 she was an active member of a female movement before title 9 came into play. Joyce was an active member of Baxman Elementary PTA and a Booster Club member at both TL Handy and later when Western High School opened; she fought for female rights with sports and equipment. Joyce and a dear friend Helen Peterson started the Monitor Township Female Softball League in the 1970’s.
She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law and two daughters and two sons-in-law. Oscar and Kelli Rase of Bay City, Amy and Tom Topping of Bay City, lastly Lisa and Art Manwell of Sanford, MI. One sister, Beverly Scheddel of Palm Harbor, Florida; one sister-in-law, Marilyn Garlinghouse of Bay City. Her grandchildren, Craig (Brittini) Rase, Kendell (Kyle) Cunningham, Jennifer Hoge, Rachel Topping (Kyle MacMillan), Stephanie Topping (Jeff Ross), Alex Topping and fiancé (Jena Eckerd) and Arthur Manwell IV; her great grandchildren, Chloe and Joey Rule, Ramona and Maddox Cunningham and Isla Rae Ross and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by her husband, Raymond V. Rase, a sister, Vi Miller and a brother, Loren Garlinghouse. Joyce was a lady who was loved and admired by all who met her.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Comfort Keepers and Hartland Hospice.
Funeral services will take place at 11:00 am on Thursday, January 18th 2024 at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church. Officiating will be Pastor Zach Steinke. Private interment will take place at Floral Gardens Cemetery. The family will be present at the Gephart Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 17th 2024 to receive family and friends from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Mrs. Rase will be taken to the church on Thursday to lie in state from 10:00 am until the service. In lieu of flowers those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Shriners Hospital for Children.