Joyce Affeldt

Joyce Affeldt, 87 of Sheyenne ND passed away on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at Sanford Medical Center, Fargo ND.

Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday, January 5, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.  Visitation will continue at the Tokio Wellness Center on Friday, January 6, 2023 beginning at 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Funeral Services for Joyce will be on Friday, January 6, 2023 at 12:00 noon with Pastor Jay Deckert officiating. The procession to Tokio on Friday will leave at 9:30 a.m. from the City Plaza, Devils Lake. Burial will be in the spring at the Bdecan Presbyterian Cemetery, rural Tokio ND.

Joyce Marie, daughter of Patrick McKay and Florence Ironheart was born on November 9, 1935 at Fort Totten ND. She grew up on the Spirit Lake Nation, rural Sheyenne ND and attended the Fort Totten Boarding School.

Joyce was united in marriage to James Edward LaRoque in 1954 at Moorhead MN. They lived for a short time in the Warwick area, but eventually lived in several states in the Midwest, including Montana, South Dakota and Wyoming. James died in an accident in Wyoming on July 18, 1971.

Joyce brought her family back to North Dakota and settled in Oberon ND.  She worked for several years at the newly established Brunswick Manufacturing Corporation. She then shared her caring and loving heart with others as an employee at the Waconi Group Home and later as a Director at St. Jude’s Home for the Elderly both at Fort Totten.

Joyce married Jerry D. Affeldt Sr. and they lived for a time in Oberon, then moved to Pick City, ND until Jerry passed away in September of 1999. 

In September of 2001, Joyce moved to Sheyenne to be closer to family and called it home until her death. 

Joyce was musically talented just like her brothers and sisters. She played guitar and sang in various bands along with many singing engagements with her family. Joyce loved driving around the countryside and stopping at all the rummage sales, going to Thrift Stores and meeting old friends and making new ones at the Casino. She was an excellent cook and baker and shared all her goodies with family and friends. She treasured her grandchildren and great grandchildren and it brought her so much joy whenever they came to visit.

Joyce had a heart of gold. She would do whatever she could to help somebody out. She gave of her time and talents with a joyful heart to anyone in need.

Joyce’s loving family include her 4 sons and grandchildren Clint (Trudy) LaRoque and children Allura and Colten LaRoque, Patrick (Laurie) LaRoque and children Jeremy and Thomas Longie, Mitchell (Chelsea) LaRoque, Leon LaRoque and children Adam, Cody and Leon Jr. LaRoque, Jerry Affeldt Jr.; daughter Olena Walleen and her many dear children; many beloved great grandchildren; siblings Darrel “Duke” (Grace) Thumb Sr., Idell Thumb, Edward (Nan) Thumb, Elvis (Phaedra) Thumb Sr.; many nieces, nephews and their families.

She was welcomed home to Heaven by her Lord, parents Patrick and Florence, husbands James and Jerry, grandchild Ashton, siblings Inez Green, Wilbur McKay, Lavern McKay, Loretta Stensland, Roger Thumb, Gary Thumb Sr., Merle Thumb Sr. and Yvonne Thumb.

Casket Bearers for Joyce will be Colten LaRoque, Adam LaRoque, Cody LaRoque, Leon LaRoque Jr., Gabriel Jackson and Loren Nadeau; Honorary Pallbearers will be Mitchell LaRoque and Isaiah Nadeau.

J