Mary “Joyce” Norvold

Mary Joyce (Rudquist) Norvold, 94, passed away peacefully January 24, 2015. The third of four children, Joyce was born to Albin and Selma Rudquist on the 3rd of July, 1920 in the family home on Lake Dixon near Rosy, MN. She deeply valued her extended family upbringing with parents, aunts, uncles and friends in Rosy, MN, Glendive, MT, Minneapolis, MN, Grand Rapids, MN and beyond.

She graduated Grand Rapids High School in 1937 and attended French’s Business School and Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis. During WWII Joyce worked as a typist and clerk at Fort Snelling and Camp McCoy.

Joyce joined her sister ‘Jerry’ as a stewardess for Northwest Airlines in 1945 and met her husband Howie Norvold in Tokyo, Japan. The two were engaged on Valentine’s Day on a flight over the Pacific and wed on June 21, 1952 at which time Joyce left NWA to start a family.

Howard and Joyce were blessed with three sons, Mark, Peter, and James. Joyce pursued a career in banking as well as caring for her boys and keeping close relationships with her many relatives. She was an active member in Bethel Lutheran Church during her time in Hudson, WI, Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church in Panama City Beach, FL and Immanuel Lutheran Church in Woodville, WI.

She spoke French as well as phrases in several other languages and enjoyed traveling domestically and internationally. She and Howie attended operas at the Metropolitan Opera in Minneapolis and several operas in Europe.

Joyce is survived by loving sons Mark of Woodville and Peter (Angie) of Hudson; brother-in-law Robert Norvold; grandchildren Heidi Norvold (Brad Price) of Woodbury, MN, Sarah Louise Norvold (Charlie Upton) of Nashville, TN., Mary Carol (Jared) Troemner of Spring Valley, Phillip (Heather) Norvold of Eau Claire, Lily, Lucy, and Simon Norvold of Hudson, and Ryan (Amy Marie) VanArkel of Waterloo, IA.; great-grandchildren Faylene, Elias, and Kai Troemner of Spring Valley, Jaxson and Jaidyn Norvold of Eau Claire, and Isaac, Madelyn, Jace, and Jocelyn VanArkel of Waterloo, IA.; and many other relatives and dear friends.

Joyce was preceded by her husband Howard Norvold; parents, Selma, Albin, and Alma ‘Tanta’ Rudquist; brothers Carl ‘Milt’ and Richard ‘Richie’; and sister, Louise ‘Jerry’ Rudquist Schilling and son, James Norvold.

A celebration of Joyce’s life will be 11AM Saturday Jan, 31 2015 at Immanuel Lutheran Church; 2526 80th Avenue in Woodville, WI. Burial will be in the Lone Pine Cemetery. A time of visitation will be held for 1 hour prior to services at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial given will be donated in Joyce’s name to the Union Gospel Mission.

Funeral Services are entrusted to the care of O’Connell Family Funeral Homes.