September 01, 1917 - September 04, 2009
Joyce Almira (Larson) Nelson Obituary
(Age 92)
Passed away in her home in Spokane on Friday, September 4, 2009. She was born on September 1, 1917 the firstborn of Ben and Josephine (n?e Espeseth) Larson's
ten children. She grew up and graduated from high school in Circle, MT where her father published The Circle Banner. Joyce graduated from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN in 1939 and began teaching music which took her across Montana and into Washington. Joyce met her husband Gordon while teaching in Creston, WA. Joyce and Gordon were married on June 9, 1943 in Spokane. In 1947 they purchased a ranch just north of Colville where they lived for 40 years. Joyce continued teaching in Colville until her retirement in 1982. Joyce was a charter member of St. Paul Lutheran in Colville, where the importance of church attendance and service to ones' fellow man was instilled from a very early age. Worship services, Sunday School, junior choir, confirmation, youth groups, and senior choir were each crucial components of the young Nelson kids' educations. Her greatest joy, besides her children, was directing the adult and children's choirs at St. Paul and playing the organ when needed. Joyce loved her flowers and garden. Joyce enjoyed her retirement years in Spokane immensely. She loved to spend time with her grandchildren, gave them piano lessons, sang with the C-Notes, attended the Spokane Symphony concerts and Ferris H.S. basketball games, helped out at Emmanuel Lutheran's neighborhood meals, and hosted Sunday dinners for family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Gordon, brother B. Miles Larson, sister Lois Gysler, son-in-law Wayne Gilman, and her baby granddaughter Karen Gilman. She is survived by her children Rick and Janet (nee Lowell) Nelson, Sue Gilman, Paul and Tina (n?e Martin) Nelson and Jerry and Jan (n?e Richardson) Nelson. Jerry and Jan cared for Joyce in their home with the help of Joyce's dedicated caregiver, Lori Williams. She is also survived by seven siblings. She has ten grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Joyce also had four Godchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Viewing will be held Noon to 5:00 P.M. on Thursday at Heritage Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will be held Friday at 1:00 P.M. at St. Mark's Lutheran Church with interment following at Creston Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to St. Paul Lutheran in Colville, St. Mark's or ELCA World Hunger.
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