Joyce Marie Wilkin was born to the late Orvin and Erna (Jensen) Christensen at home in Great Bend Township, Cottonwood County, Minnesota on December 03, 1932. She was baptized into the Christian faith at the American Lutheran Church in Windom. She attended String Lake country school through the eighth grade, along with her six sisters and two brothers.

Joyce was united in marriage to Lee Wilkin on August 23, 1953, at the American Lutheran Church in Windom. Their union was blessed with three daughters, JoAnn, Patricia, and Sandra. Joyce loved being a mom and a homemaker. Joyce had many other enjoyments in life including sewing, needlework, reading, square dancing, and traveling. She was a dedicated member of the local Girl Scouts, VFW Auxiliary, and Rebekah Lodge #140 since 1968. Lee and Joyce owned and operated Wilkin Laundry from 1974 – 1980. Joyce also enjoyed serving up food in the school lunchroom.

After retiring, Lee and Joyce traveled to 49 of the 50 states. They spent 20 winters as snowbirds, making their way down to Mesa, Arizona for 15 years, and Texas for 5 years.

Joyce Wilkin passed away peacefully on March 5, 2024, at the Good Samaritan Society – The Village in Mountain Lake, Minnesota.

Joyce is survived by her daughters, JoAnn (Bruce) Russenberger of Trimont and Sandra (Ross) Kroeber of Hugo; six grandchildren, Jarrett Schulze, Stacy Schulze, Steven Porter, Cameron Porter, Kaleigh Richardson, and Tori Russenberger; four great-grandchildren, David, Landon, Morgan, and Heidi; brother, Arthur Christensen of Windom; sister, Doris Anschutz of Windom; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Joyce is preceded in death by her husband of sixty-four years, Lee Wilkin; daughter, Patricia; great-grandson, Collin Schulze; brother, Leroy Christensen; sisters, Lorraine Hunter, Mildred Crowell, Mary Utech, June Richardson, and Elizabeth Kirchner.

Blessed be the memory of Joyce Marie Wilkin.

A Celebration of Life Service for Joyce Wilkin, age 91, of Windom, will be held Saturday, March 9th, at 11:00 AM at The American Lutheran Church in Windom with Pastor Adam Roberts officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery in rural Windom.

A time of visitation and gathering will be held on Saturday, March 9th from 9:00 – 11:00 AM, at The American Lutheran Church in Windom. The service will be livestreamed on The American Lutheran Church Facebook page.