Joyce Jensen, age 88 of Westbrook, passed away Thursday, July 23, 2015 at Westbrook Good Samaritan. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 27 at Old Westbrook Lutheran Church. Visitation is 4:00-7:00 pm. Sunday at the Westbrook Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Monday. Burial is in the Westbrook Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Joyce Kathryn Nelson, daughter of Orlando and Victoria (Lind) Nelson, was born October 5, 1926 in Ann Township, north of Westbrook, Minnesota. She was baptized on May 8, 1927 at Bethany Lutheran Church. The family later moved south of Westbrook for a time. In the mid 1930’s she moved with her family to Grandpa Stengel Nelson’s farm north of Westbrook, across the road from where she was born. Joyce attended elementary school at rural District #4 and graduated from Westbrook High School in 1944. She had been confirmed at Old Westbrook Lutheran Church and has been a member there since that time. On November 18, 1946 she married William “Bill” Jensen after he had served in the Army during WWII. They farmed in the Westbrook area where Joyce helped Bill with chores and other farm work, and there they raised their two children, Kathy and Joe. Joyce also worked faithfully at the Good Samaritan Home in Westbrook for over 24 years and in 2003 was named C.N.A. of the year, which was a well-deserved honor. During her whole life she proved she was never afraid of work! Joyce could be “tough as nails” but had a heart of gold and always had a cup of coffee and cookies or some other treat for whoever would drop into her welcoming kitchen. She would even leave a thermos of coffee on the kitchen table when she needed to be gone, so if someone came by they could help themselves to her hospitality! Later, after Bill’s death, Joyce made the wise decision to move into an apartment in town. She had the misfortune of having a stroke and since that time has lived at the Good Samaritan Home where she had helped so many others over the years. She still enjoyed having coffee with her friends and family, as they would come to visit her there, and especially loved having the great-grandchildren come to see her.
Joyce is survived by her two children: Kathy (Bob) Nelson of Vermillion, SD, and Joe (Mary) of Storden; grandchildren: Jill (Cal), Andy (Jennifer), and Daniel (Andrea) Nelson and Jessica (Guy) and Matthew (DeAnne) Jensen; great-grandchildren: Denton, Jensen, Henry, Ella, Mae, Tucker, Owen, Elias, and Bryan; sister Donna Dunlap of Marshall; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband Bill in 2006, sisters Carole (in infancy), Orleane Jensen, and LeeAnn Wyffels, and brother Dale.
Kathy and Joey I am so sorry for the loss of your Mother.
We have had so many GREAT Memories through the years. I will never forget your Moms hardy laugh and friendliness to me when my Mom died. Love Sharilyn Thompson/Goodie
Family of Joyce Our deepest sympathy to you all. Joyce was one of the most delightful ladies I ever worked with. She was always up beat with a tremendous sense of humor.
Joyce’s family, so sorry for your loss. Cousin Joyce and her whole family were so special to the Lind family. Time marches on and now we have to hold on to the memories of the years, times and places gone by. May she rest in peace. Cam and Sharon Lind, Sioux Falls, S. D.
To Joyce’s family: We are sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. But we know she lived a good life and I remember the times as a little girl when we would visit our “Nelson cousins”. It was a special time and good memories. Take care and may God be with all of you. Janet (McDonald) and Bruce Malo
To Joyce’s family, I cannot thank you enough for sharing this terrific lady with us. I enjoyed her so much @ the Home, and all that she did for Tammy when she was a resident there. Joyce made sure everything was taken care of, even if she didn’t have Tammy that day. She was my buddy in more ways than one. Roger remembers her sharing rides with him when they had jury duty, and how glad they were that they hadn’t been needed. When Tammy died, we started a scholarship in her name at WWG, and will remember Joyce, with much affection, at Christmas time with a donation in her name to it.
Joyce and I have been friends since we were in 4-H together. We have stayed friends all these years. even if I moved to Oregon we still kept in contact. Bud and I would visit Bill and Joyce when we were back home. Not often but they were always our friends. Joyce always told me about her grandchildren when we talked on the phone, She was so proud of them. Blessings to you all. Donna