Joyce Y. McKay

Joyce Yvonne (Kotval) McKay, 88, Child of God, died peacefully in the early morning of Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at Garnette Gardens in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. She was on Hospice care for a week following a short hospitalization for congestive heart failure. In her final hours, she was surrounded by her children who loved her deeply, and she was blessed to have visits, phone calls and loving messages from grandchildren, nieces, nephews and dear friends in her final days.  Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 12^th at the First Presbyterian Church in Redwood Falls.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Monday at the Redwood Valley Funeral Home, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday.  Interment is in the Redwood Falls Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Friends of the Park (PO Box 439, Redwood Falls, MN 56283) or the Redwood Falls Public Library. Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Joyce was born to Frank and Iva (Anderson) Kotval on April 24, 1934, on the family farm at Vesta. She graduated from Echo High School in 1952. In 1955, she graduated from Northwestern Hospital School of Nursing in Minneapolis. She married Ronald McKay at Vesta Presbyterian Church on December 15, 1956. They lived on their farm near Delhi all their married life where they farmed, raised a family, and cultivated friendships with many neighbors. After Ronnie died in 1985, Joyce moved to Redwood Falls where she resided at home, then Homestead, and then Garnette Gardens this past year, all places where she again built lasting friendships. Joyce spent 18 years dancing, traveling and enjoying the companionship of Darles Fischer whose family became very dear to her, as well, until his death in 2014.

Joyce worked at the Redwood Falls Hospital in Obstetrics for many years – helping to deliver many babies and providing their mothers tender loving care. She then worked at the Spinning Wheel and the Redwood Falls Public Library before retiring. Joyce was very active in her community! She was a longtime member of the Delhi Presbyterian Church, its Presbyterian Women, its Circle and was a church organist until the church closed. Since then, she’s been a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Redwood Falls and its Circle. She participated in the Delhi Extension Club, 20th Century Study Club, the LLs (you know who you are!), and was a 4-H leader for many years. She donated blood as well as her time at area blood drives and volunteered with Ruby’s Pantry and numerous other charitable organizations. Going to the grocery store was a social event because Joyce knew and stopped to chat with most everyone she encountered!

Joyce is survived by children Bruce (Deb) McKay of Henderson, MN; Jim (Lori) McKay of Minneapolis, MN; Mark (Lisa) McKay of Poynette, WI; and Vicki (Dave Petersen) McKay of Oronoco, MN; grandchildren Allie (Mike) Chamberlin; Ian (Rebekah) McKay; Delaney (Tyler) McKay; and Mitchell McKay (Madi Griffith); great-grandchildren, Reed and Kyla Chamberlin; sister-in-law/best friend Jeanette Kotval; brother-in-law Neil (Marilyn) McKay; lifelong best friend Lois Odegard; and many dear nieces, nephews, cousins and other family and friends who filled her life with friendship and joy. Joyce was preceded in death by husband Ronald McKay; parents, Frank and Iva Kotval; brothers, Floyd Kotval and Leslie Kotval; sisters-in-law, Barbara Kotval and Susie Tong Kotval; special friend, Darles Fischer; and parents-in-law, Arthur and Emily McKay.

With God, all things are Possible. Matthew 19:26 (favorite verse chosen after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001).