Joyce Darleen Larson (Grandma) passed away on Monday, July 1, 2024, at the Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton, MN. She was 96. Joyce Darleen Olson was born in Worthington, MN on April 27, 1928. Her parents, Carl and Ann Lindberg Olson, lived south of Worthington. Joyce was baptized at First Lutheran Church in Worthington and attended 1st – 4th grade at the country Yeske school south of Worthington, 4th – 8th grade at Avoca, MN school, and graduated from Slayton High School in 1946. Joyce met Alvin Larson at her sister Phyliss’ wedding dance. They married on January 17, 1948, enjoying 56 years of marriage. Joyce and Alvin farmed east Avoca and moved 3 miles north of Slayton. The Larson’s raised eight children: Tom, Stan, Jerry, Harvey, Brenda, Mary, Kathy, and JoAnn. Alvin & Joyce belonged to Faith Lutheran Church in Avoca and transferred to Christ Lutheran Church in 1964 to present. Joyce was the President and Officer in the ladies’ aid at church, Sunday school teacher, Memorial committee, work groups, quilting club chair, and active member. Joyce belonged to a birthday club with her neighbor ladies for over 50 years, an extension club, a 4-H leader for the Mason Hustlers, and a volunteer for the annual hospice fundraiser sale. Joyce was a devoted wife, and mother to eight children, 24 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter. Grandma Joyce, enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, baking (especially brownies and chocolate chip cookies), bus trips, the annual freezing of sweetcorn, babysitting, the Murray County fair, quilting at church, and supporting her grandchildren’s activities and sports. Joyce was a housewife, farmer’s wife, and taxi driver for the family. May her memories stay close in your hearts.
She is survived by three sons Tom (Denice) Larson of Alexandria, Stan (Jean) Larson of Garvin, Harvey (Carolyn) Larson of Slayton, and four daughters: Brenda Hurlbut of Worthington, Mary (Monty) Schreier of Savage, Kathy (Paul) McDonald of Slayton, and JoAnn (Jerry) Lewis of West Point, NE. Sister-in-law Lucy Olson, and several nieces and nephews. Joyce was preceded in death by Alvin, her husband of 56 years in November 2004, son Jerry in July 2005, infant grandson Matthew, and infant great-grandson Ty. Four sisters: Kay and George Wilkison, Phyllis and Lee Holmberg, Donna and Milen Lange, and Marriett and Don Wahl, and one brother Gary Olson. Joyce’s parents, Carl and Ann Olson, several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, one son-in-law Allen Hurlbut, and grandson Bruce Larson in May 2024.
Funeral Services: Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton on Friday, July 5, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Chad Duffy and Rev. Rick Carlson officiating. The organist is Sherri Isder with special music by her grandchildren. The pallbearers are her grandchildren. The honorary pallbearers are the Christ Lutheran Quilting Group. Interment is at Slayton Memorial Gardens Slayton, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements. To view online obituary and send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com. In Lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Christ Lutheran Quilters, Murray County Hospice or Shetek Lutheran Ministries