Joyce Gillespie

Joyce left us on June 30, 2019 at the age of 93.  Joyce was born March 4, 1926 to Harry and Emmy Anderson of Chokio, MN.  She was the oldest of 10 children born to that family. She was baptized June 18, 1926 and confirmed December 21, 1942 at Artichoke Lutheran Church.  Joyce went to country school at District #48. She was determined to graduate from high school even though it was not always common to do so back then.  She graduated from Chokio High School in 1944. Joyce traveled to Minneapolis and worked at Hatch’s Pharmacy at the soda fountain.   She met her husband to be while he was working as a hired hand for her dad. She married Dale (Dutch) Gillespie in 1945 and moved to a farm south of Chokio.  Six children were born and raised on that farm until the couple moved to Garfield, MN in 1969, when the couple purchased a liquor store/café/barber shop.  Joyce operated that café and was the cook until 1973.  Joyce moved to Alexandria and worked as a waitress until joining the team at JCPenney. She became the manager of the lady’s department and retired after 18 years.

Joyce prided herself in raising a large family during hard times and always had a big garden from which she canned and cooked up every last vegetable.  With 5 men working in the field, she made patching jeans a real art.  She will always be remembered for her bread baking, caramel rolls, great pickles, and selling eggs to make ends meet. She was very proud of getting her husband baptized, as well as her 6 children baptized and confirmed.

In later years, Joyce enjoyed making each child and grandchild their own special quilt. She was very involved in church, was the Sunday School Secretary, and numerous teaching jobs. Joyce loved feeding the birds, having a flower garden, dish towel embroidery, and wouldn’t pass up the chance to dance. She was the first to join in on a singalong at her living center and music was a comfort to her. She was a lifelong Lutheran and was a member of St. Luke’s Lutheran church in Garfield. All four boys served in the armed forces with two serving in Vietnam.  Her greatest joy was seeing family, the little ones, and old friends.

Joyce is survived by brother Norman Anderson of Milbank, SD, and sisters, Jane Gillespie of Clinton, Susan Wohlers of Graceville, and Bonnie (Tom) Connelly of Hebron, KY, sister-in-laws, and many nieces and nephews.

Left to cherish her memory are her six children: Frank (Sheila Blauert) Gillespie of Detroit Lakes; Delbert Gillespie of Ashby; Verl (Starr) Gillespie of Wendell; Darrell (Gwen) Gillespie of Alexandria; Glenda Stokes of Alexandria; and Linda Fahlin of Garfield.

Grandchildren: Patty Ross of Pelican Rapids; Ronald Overson of Detroit Lakes; Michael Overson of Glyndon; Kyle (Ronda) Gillespie of Clinton; Laura (Joe) Buchanan of Appleton WI; Travis (Myndie) Preble of Texas; Joleen Fagan of Maine; Troy (Tanya) Gillespie of Battle Lake; Amanda (Brett) Anderson and Ryan Lindemyer of Evansville; Sarah (Chris) Herzog of Eau Claire WI; Carla Fahlin and Jed Fahlin of Garfield.

Joyce was also blessed with many great grandchildren who were a special to her: Ashley, Austin, Brittany, Kendra, Brayden, Jacob, Justin, Haley, Eric, Makena, Drew, Danielle, Aerianna, Chloe, Lauren, Sydney, Kylie, Madison, Olivia, Ryker, Lennon, Kanyon, Kaydence.

Joyce was proceeded in death by her 2 grandsons: Trevor Gillespie of Fergus Falls, and Tanner Stokes of Gillette WY, and brothers Delhart, DeWillis, Richard, Jerry, and Larry Anderson.

A visitation will take place on Friday, July 5, 2019 from 4-7 PM with a 6 PM Prayer Service at the Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory.

A Funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 11 AM with a visitation for one hour prior to the service at St. Luke’s Church in Garfield, MN.

Interment will be in Chokio Lutheran Cemetery near Chokio, MN.