Joyce Erickson

Joyce passed away on Wednesday, September 25th, 2013 at the Palliative Care Unit of Sanford Hospital, South Fargo, surrounded by her loving family.  Joyce was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister.

Joyce was born on May 14^th, 1925, the daughter of Christian and Mina Brun at St. Luke’s Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota. She grew up in the family home in Fargo and received her education in the Fargo schools. Joyce’s mother took foster children into their home while Joyce and her sisters were growing up. This had a big impact on Joyce.

Joyce graduated from Central High School. She attended Dakota Business College where she received her degree in business. Her first employer was Arnold Welu Dental Laboratory of Fargo as secretary and later she worked at Gate City Building and Loan Association as a secretary.

Joyce was united in marriage to the love of her life, Martell Erickson on October 17^th, 1953 at First Lutheran Church in Fargo. They made their home in Kindred until moving to the farm near Kindred in 1955 where they raised their family. Joyce enjoyed the life of a farmwife. Martell and Joyce

retired from farming in 1989 and moved to Fargo in 1995. They had most recently made their home at Edgewood Vista.  Joyce and Martell enjoyed 59 years of marriage. Martell passed on January 22^nd, 2013.

Joyce enjoyed church activities, Homemaker club, sewing, and crafts. She was a den mother for scouts and was also a 4-H leader.  She especially enjoyed quilting, sewing, ceramics, painting pictures, and collecting dolls. Martell and Joyce spent winters in Mesa, Arizona for many years. They enjoyed spending weekends at Long Lake with their family. Joyce enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Joyce was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Fargo. She was a devoted and active member of Gol Lutheran Church while Martell and Joyce were residing at Kindred.  She was an active member of WELCA and also taught Sunday school. After moving to Fargo, she and Martell attended Olivet Lutheran Church where she maintained her strong relationship with God. 

Joyce is survived by her children, Kathie (Lynn) Bingham of Grand Forks, N.D.; Mark (Sheryl) Erickson of Devils Lake, N.D.; Sonia (Paul) Galegher of Thompson, N.D.; and Sheryl (Tom) Newberger of Fargo; her 11 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Kenneth and Betty Erickson; and her sisters-in-law Adeline Erickson of West Fargo and Addie Erickson of Fargo. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband Martell, her parents, and her sisters Adeline Brun and Donna Lenzen.