A Celebration of Life Service to honor the life and memory of Joyce Nordquist, age 91, of Jackson, will be held Tuesday, July 15, at 2:00 PM at the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Jackson with a time of visitation being held one hour prior to the service 1:00 – 2:00 PM. Burial will be held at Good Shepherd Catholic Cemetery in Jackson.

Following the service, all are invited to stay for dessert and light refreshments in fellowship and remembrance of Joyce.

Joyce Lucille Nordquist, daughter of Joseph and Adeline Heller, was born March 31, 1934, in Milbank, South Dakota. On July 3, 2025, Joyce, age 91, passed away peacefully at Temperance Lake Ridge, Sherburn, MN, where she had resided since October 2021.

Joyce grew up on a farm one mile north of Albee, SD as the oldest of 4 children born to Joe and Adeline. She attended Albee Elementary School for 8 years, and then graduated from Revillo, SD High School in 1952. Joyce then attended Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen, SD and earned a certificate to teach elementary school. Joyce was a teacher from 1952-1953 in a small eight student school located near Revillo, SD. It was during this time Joyce met her future husband.

On February 14, 1955, Joyce married Dale Nordquist of Albee, SD in Revillo, SD. The young couple lived in Clear Lake, SD for a brief time until Dale's occupation relocated them to Sibley, IA, and relocated them again to Worthington, MN, and eventually relocated them to Jackson, MN where they finally were able to settle and remain. Prior to Dale's passing the two of them enjoyed square dancing whenever and wherever they could. Dale sadly passed away in August 2011. To this marriage they were blessed with four children: Rick, Linda, Kevin, Steve.

While raising their family in Jackson, MN Joyce primarily stayed home to care for her children; but did have several jobs including working at an insurance office, selling Avon, selling Tupperware, providing samples/demos at the Red Owl and Gordy's grocery stores in Jackson, and providing in-home day care. Joyce had a fondness for young children and watching them learn and grow. Joyce was also very active in the Good Shepherd Catholic Church teaching Sunday school and serving as President of the Jackson Council of Catholic Women. Joyce also had a talent for crafts that included painting ceramics and making quilts that she donated. Additionally, she loved gardening, especially her African Violets.

Joyce also enjoyed socializing and participated in the Red Hat Ladies Club and Lunch Bunch. In her later years she also volunteered at the Good Samaritan Home and Fort Belmont in Jackson. She also enjoyed, weather permitting, her daily leisurely walks around her neighborhood.

Joyce is survived by her children: Rick (Lynelle) Nordquist of Stillwater, MN, Linda (Jerry) Svoboda of Spirit Lake, IA, Kevin Nordquist (Karla Ambrose) of Jackson, MN, Steve (Debbie) Nordquist of Sioux Falls, SD; her siblings: Don Heller of Revillo, SD, Nila Stoick of Battle Lake, MN, Twyla (Bill) Folk of Huron, SD; She is also survived by her grandchildren: Kristin (Brian) Krahmer, Amy (Travis) St. Aubin, and Riley (Betsy) Nordquist; great grandchildren: Alexis Krahmer, Morgan St. Aubin, Chase St. Aubin, Nolan Nordquist, Hayden Nordquist; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Joyce is preceded in death by her husband Dale Nordquist (and his parents); her parents; brother-in-law Jerry Stoick; and sister-in-law Helen Heller.

Joyce's family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Temperance Lake Ridge and United District Hospital Hospice in Blue Earth for the compassionate care, attention, and companionship they so kindly provided to Joyce

Blessed be the memory of Joyce Lucille Nordquist.