Joyce A. Stach

Joyce’s service will be livestreamed starting at 2:00 PM Thursday February 22, 2024

Joyce Ann Stach born October 10, 1946 and died February 10, 2024.

Joyce Ann Stach, 77, passed away at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND after a long battle with COPD, surrounded by 17 of her loved ones, including siblings, nieces, nephews, great nieces, nephews and even a great-great niece.

Joyce was born in Hillsboro, ND on October 10, 1946, three months premature. Joyce was a miracle baby to have survived in those days. Her mother, Lillian said that she was so tiny when she was born that she could fit inside a shoebox. Even with the many hardships and struggles she faced throughout her life, Joyce grew into a very strong woman, and persevered with a positive, loving, kind and generous personality. Joyce was a giver; she would try to do whatever she could for anyone that she knew and always would much rather give than to receive. Joyce was loved by everyone that knew her, whether it be family, friends or a brand new acqua
intance, everyone that knew Joyce loved her.

Joyce grew up in Fargo, ND and lived most of her adult life with her husband Victor at their home in the rural area of Vergas, MN. Joyce was currently living at Sunnyside Nursing Home, in Lake Park, MN. She loved the nurses and aides that took such good care of her. Joyce loved living in the woods and enjoying its beauty with Victor. He would build her beautiful birdhouses and nesting boxes, which he painted all colors of the rainbow, then he would place them all over their property to attract the birds for her. Vic would feed the birds and deer every day so that Joyce could sit and watch the wildlife eating from her living room window.

Joyce loved and adored all her nieces and nephews and their children, as she was never able to have children of her own. One of her joys in life was hosting deer hunting week in the Fall at her country home with her nephews, nieces, and their friends. She enjoyed the big gathering, with plenty of good food, fun and conversation.

Joyce also loved gardening and for many years she would start tomato seedlings in the early Spring, which, of course she would share with her very large extended family. Victor built her a greenhouse to have in their yard, which he had made from old windows so that she could spend her time enjoying one of her passions. One year Joyce and her siblings canned 338 quarts of tomatoes from her seedlings! When we received seedlings from her, they were almost ready to start producing fruit! Joyce was an awesome gardener.

Joyce was a faithful woman and had a very strong love for God. She tried to read her bible every day and she also prayed daily for all of her family members. We can all only strive to be as kind, loving and generous as our beautiful Joyce. We will sure miss her hearty laughter and advice; she was one of a kind. I know she is breathing easy right now and having a great conversation with Jesus about the many struggles that He tested her with throughout her life, and now she will have
all the answers. Rest easy Joyce, enjoy eternity in paradise! We All Love You!

Joyce is survived by her husband, Victor Stach, Lake Park, MN; siblings, Jim (Charlotte) McDonald, Oldtown, ID, Jennifer Hogenson, Fargo, ND, Jerry (Linda) McDonald, Vergas, MN, Joan (Lon) Zimmerman, Port Townsend, WA; and many nieces, and nephews.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Harold & Lillian McDonald; brother, Joe McDonald; sisters, Jean McDonald & Judy Houghton; and nephew, Jeff McDonald.

A celebration of life for Joyce will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday, February 22, 2024 at Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center, Fargo. Visitation will take place one hour prior to services.