Joyce (Hastings) M. Nelson-Mikkelsen

Joyce M. (Hastings) Nelson-Mikkelsen, 89 of Devils Lake formerly of Edmore and Larimore, ND passed away on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at her home in the loving care of her family.

Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Monday, May 1, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and continue at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. The Funeral Service for Joyce will be on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Reverend JoHanna Buchholz officiating. The burial will be in the Bellevue Cemetery, rural Larimore.

Joyce Marlene Hastings was born on February 15, 1934, at Grand Forks, ND the daughter of Lloyd and Cassie (Gillis) Hastings. She grew up in Grand Forks, attended the Washington Elementary School and later grades 7-11 in the Larimore Public School.

Joyce was united in marriage to James D. Nelson “JD” on June 30, 1951, in Grand Forks. They established their home in Larimore where Joyce ran the local café. They lived in several other towns before moving to Edmore, ND in 1962.

Joyce and JD called Edmore home for many years. They worked, lived, and raised their family in Edmore. Joyce was determined to receive her High School Diploma, so she went to school alongside her children and graduated from Edmore High School with the class of 1967. She continued her education at Lake Region Junior College and in 1969 she earned her title of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Joyce worked at Mercy Hospital and did some home nursing. She then worked for Morrison-Knudson at the (ABM) Anti-Ballistic Missile site and for the Army Corp of Engineers out of Nekoma ND. In August of 1981, Joyce began working for the Edmore Rest Home until 1987.

Joyce was such an active member of the Edmore community. She was an avid curler as a member of the Edmore Curling Club for 15 years. She loved her time at the curling club. She was also involved in the Concordia Lutheran Church as a Sunday School teacher, in Bible studies and with the WELCA, serving as the secretary and helping on the many projects and events of the church.

Joyce kept herself busy over the years in Edmore, but first and foremost she was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She took in and engaged in all the activities of her children, supported them in all their adventures and was their biggest fan. Joyce loved to entertain family and friends.

In the early 1990’s, JD and Joyce to Devils Lake and Joyce continued to be active in the community and now was able to enjoy all the activities and sporting events of grandchildren and great grandchildren and so many memories made over the years at their lake home. She was always cooking family favorites, making chocolate chip cookies and fudge for the grandchildren and friends to enjoy. Joyce was so happy being a grandma. JD died on November 23^rd, 1998.

While living in Devils Lake, Joyce served as treasurer and past president of the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary and spent many hours volunteering in the Gift Shop during her 25 plus years of membership. She participated in some way, either as a supporting walker or on the planning committee for Lake Region Relay for Life for many years. She has enjoyed membership in the Beta Sigma PHI-Preceptor XI Sorority.

Joyce found a wonderful man to spend her later years with, Dr. Cameron Mikkelsen and they were united in marriage on September 18, 2001, in Grand Forks, ND. They made their home in Devils Lake until his death on April 29, 2022. Together they enjoyed many years of square dancing and traveling. They took many trips, travelled around the country, just taking in the beauty of so many old and novel places.

Joyce was a woman of faith, a woman of kindness and compassion and a woman who loved unconditionally and with her whole heart.

Joyce’s loving family includes her children Jim and Coralie “Corky” Nelson, Beulah ND, Danny Nelson, Devils Lake and Donna Wolf also of Devils Lake; Eleven grandchildren Jamie (Maranda) Nelson, Joey (Angie) Nelson, Justin (Amber) Nelson, Josh (Amy) Nelson, Tessa Peterson, Tiffany (Corey Ebach) Peterson, Preston (Brittany) Peterson, Alexandria (Jon) Fortney, Allison (Tyson) Pagnac, Brandt (Arlene) Wolf and Keaton (Lynae) Wolf; 30 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren; step children Brian (Van-Ha-Nguyea) Mikkelsen, Rancho Cordova, CA, Forrest (Kari) Mikkelsen, Grand Rapids, MN, Paul (Nancy) Mikkelsen, Spear Fish, SD; 4 step grandchildren, 9 step great grandchildren; sister Myrna Nicholauson, Fargo ND; sisters-in-law Marlene Hastings, Crookston MN, Alta Hallof, Larimore ND, Lauraine Troftgruben, Grand Forks and Marit (Gary) Petrek, Jamestown ND; brothers-in-law Kenneth Post, Frazee MN and Bert Mikkelsen, Devils Lake; many nieces, nephews and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands James “JD” Nelson Sr. and Cameron Mikkelsen, son Allan Nelson, daughter Deb Peterson, daughter-in-law Deb Nelson, sister Bonnie Post, brother Lloyd Hastings and stepson Glen Mikkelsen.