Joyce P. Nelson, age 90, of Annandale, died peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at Quiet Oaks Hospice House in St. Augusta.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15, at Zion Lutheran Church, Annandale with Rev. Ken Tatkenhorst officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Annandale. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday, both at the church.
Joyce Pauline Marschel was born on July 25, 1934, in Buffalo, Minnesota to William and Frieda (Kiphuth) Marschel. Joyce grew up in Annandale. On Sept. 27, 1952, Joyce married Donald L. Nelson at Zion Lutheran Church in Annandale. Together, they made their home in Annandale and raised their five children, until Don’s death on March 24, 1980. On Sept. 12, 1980, Joyce married Earl Nelson at Zion Lutheran Church, Annandale and they continued to make their home in Annandale.
Joyce led a life filled with love, warmth, and joy. Throughout her life, Joyce embodied the values of family, faith, and community. With her unwavering devotion to her family, Joyce dedicated her life to creating a warm and loving home as a dedicated homemaker. Her kindness, compassion, and selflessness touched the lives of all who were fortunate enough to know her. Her family was her greatest pride and joy, and she cherished every moment spent with them.
Joyce found solace and strength in her faith and was a committed member of Zion Lutheran Church. She started every day with a daily devotion to her Savior.
Joyce found joy in camping, traveling, playing cards and bingo with friends, or fishing by the lake. Her love for life was infectious, and she enjoyed having a cold beer with those she held dear.
She is survived by her children, Jean (Charlie) Wanha of Elk River, Kenny Nelson, Lee (Cindy) Nelson and Jeff Nelson, all of Annandale, and Amy (Geoffrey) Bryant of Maple Lake; 11 grandchildren, Jill (Mike) Charboneau, Ashley Loucks, Jordan (Jennica) Wanha, Donny Nelson (Emma), Kayla Nelson, Nicole Nelson, Jacob Wanha, Hayden (Brittany) Bryant, Emalee Bryant, Alainna (Dan) Gapinski, and Rylee Nelson (Tyler); nine great-grandchildren with four more great-grandchildren on the way; sister, Arliene Huikko of Annandale; and many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Frieda Marschel; husbands, Donald and Earl Nelson; brothers, Roy, Arnold, Ben, Vernon, and Delbert Marschel; sister, Lillian Walters; and daughter-in-law, Terri Nelson.
Donny, Nicole and Tucker Nelson, Jordan and Jacob Wanha, Hayden Bryant, and Tyler Charboneau will serve as casket bearers. Honorary bearers will be Joyce’s godchildren, Vicki Green, Eino Nelson, John Marschel, David Wies, and Wade Michelson.
Arrangements are entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Annandale.
The obituary, guestbook, video tribute, and funeral webcast are online at www.dingmannfuneral.com.