Joyce Ann Marie Nielsen

Joyce Ann Marie Nielsen was born on February 14, 1944 to Carlton and Leone (Sumption) Erickson in Tyler, Minnesota.  She was baptized on May 21, 1944 at Ellsborough Lutheran Church.  She grew up in the Pipestone, Minnesota area and attended school in Pipestone.  She was confirmed on May 22, 1960 at First Lutheran Church in Pipestone.  She graduated from Pipestone High School on June 1, 1962.  She was married in 1968 and settled in Lake Benton, Minnesota and to this union two daughters were born, Jodi (1970) and Kim (1972).  The couple was later divorced in 1977.  Joyce worked many jobs over the years including Fecker Produce, Henry Sollie American Legion Post 10 (Lake Benton), and also worked for Senior Dining.  She owned Mother Hubbard Café in Lake Benton with her daughters; their time spent there together created a very special bond. She retired in 2015 and continued to live in Lake Benton.  Joyce entered the care of the Pipestone County Hospice House and passed away there on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at the age of 79 years, eight months, and 14 days.

Joyce was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Lake Benton.  She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Red Hat Society.  She enjoyed bowling, playing cards, and doing word search books. She was an avid fan of the Twins and Vikings but she especially enjoyed attending Wildcat Football games with her fluffy "sister," Judy.  She always enjoyed putting jigsaw puzzles together with her special friend, Marlys.  She was a great cook and she held many of her recipes close to her chest, especially for her homemade potato salad.

She will be remembered for her infectious cackle, her sense of humor and orneriness, and her quick wit!

Joyce is lovingly remembered by her two daughters, Jodi and her husband, Shawn Reese of Woodstock, Minnesota, and Kim  and her husband, Ken Hefti of Lake Benton; seven grandchildren, Amber (Dakota), Brandon (Maurika), Karlie (Caleb), Blaine, Brock, Austin, and Ashton; two great-grandchildren, Evelynn and Hudson; and many other relatives and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Carlton and Leone; and her only brother, John; and numerous relatives and friends.