Joyce Gilliland

Joyce Mae Gilliland, age 88, died peacefully at home in Flagler Beach Florida on December 11, 2020. Joyce was born to Henry and Charlotte Scheerhorn on December 15, 1931 in Pipestone, Minnesota. She was raised on farms near the Edgerton and Trosky, Minnesota. When she was five years old, she moved with her parents to a farm near Pipestone, Minnesota where she attended school through the fifth grade. She then attended school in District 18 through the eighth grade and Pipestone High School. After her graduation in 1949, she attended teacher training in Lamberton, Minnesota. Upon completion of her education, she taught in District 71 near Ruthton, Minnesota and District 10 by Pipestone, Minnesota. On March 24, 1951, she was united in marriage to Daryl Gilliland. Following their marriage, they lived on the Gilliland family farm near Pipestone. After the birth of their four children, Joyce went back to school at Southwest State University in Marshall, Minnesota, graduating in 1971. She received double majors in art and elementary education. Since no teaching positions were available at that time, she was a substitute teacher in Pipestone, Jasper, Edgerton, Ruthton, and Flandreau, South Dakota. In 1975, she taught art in Ruthton for five years before becoming employed as the art teacher in Jasper. After she retired from teaching in 2000, she continued to substitute teach. During this time, Joyce was also a salesperson for Avon and for Tri Chem Paint. Daryl preceded her in death on December 14, 2003. After his death, Joyce lived on the family farm until December, 2005, when she moved into Pipestone. On April 5, 2008, she was united in marriage to Richard Scholten at First Presbyterian Church in Pipestone. Following their marriage, they lived in Pipestone until July, 2012 when they moved to Florida.

Joyce was a member of Peace United Methodist Church in Pipestone where she taught Sunday School and served as superintendent of Bible School. She also served as the president of the United Methodist Women, circle chair, and the church historian. She volunteered her time as both a Girl and Boy Scout leader and as the area leader. In the fall of 2008, she served as the superintendent of the Presbyterian Church School. She was also active in the Pipestone Historical Society and the Arts Association of Pipestone. When they moved to Florida, she became a member of the Methodist Church there and served as the superintendent of their church school.

She is lovingly remembered by her four children, Loretta Hillier of Flagler Beach, Florida, Adelle Van Overbeke and her husband Reuben of Pompano Beach, Florida, Ronald Gilliland of Pipestone, Minnesota, and Robert Gilliland and his wife Wanda of Willmar, Minnesota; 10 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; brother, Eugene Scheerhoorn of Hills, Minnesota; and sister-in-law, Jean Scheerhoorn of Shakopee, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Daryl Gilliland and Richard Scholten; her brother, Daryl Scheerhoorn; her son-in-law, Jerry Hillier; her daughter-in-law, Sandy Gilliland; her granddaughter, Amanda; her parents; and an infant sister.