Joyce Mikkelson, 91, passed peacefully from this life Friday, July 20, 2018. The eldest of nine children, Joyce was born April 1, 1927, in Prairie du Chien, Wis., to Lawrence and Genevieve LaPointe. She left school early to help support the family during the Great Depression. On August 19, 1945, she married Melenor Mikkelson, and together they raised four children. She died one month shy of their 73rd anniversary.
Over the years, in addition to being a beloved wife and mother, Joyce worked for a time at Harmony Enterprises and Stan’s Bakery. She learned to drive a car in her 40s, and served as Harmony’s Avon Lady, selling cosmetics door-to-door. In her free time, she enjoyed sewing and crafts.
Joyce is survived by her husband Mel, 93; her children, Larry Mikkelson, Gary Mikkelson, Sherry Miller, and Tami Hoag; and eight grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers Gene LaPointe, Bruce LaPointe, Ron LaPointe, and her sister, Sandy Thompson.
Her funeral will be held Thursday, July 26 at 11 a.m. at Greenfield Lutheran Church in Harmony, Minn., with visitation at the church beginning at 10 a.m.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Croix Hospice, 3800 Hwy 52 North, Ste. 200, Rochester, Minn. 55901, www.stcroixhospice.com.