JoyceAnderson, age 64, of Aurora, died Wednesday, June 3, 2009, at the Brookings Hospital. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 A.M. Monday, June 8, 2009, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Elkton, South Dakota.Visitations will be from 5-7 P.M. Sunday at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

Joyce Ann (Mersch) Anderson was born August 29, 1944, on her grandparents farm near Ward, South Dakota. Her parents were John and Vera (Haper) Mersch. Joyce grew up in Elkton. She attended St. Mary's Elementary School and graduated from Elkton High School in 1962. Joyce married Duane Anderson in Elkton on June 15, 1963. Later they moved to Aurora and started a family.

She was fortunate to stay home with her three children when they were small.Years later she worked at Maynard's Grocery in Aurora and then the Aurora Convenience Store. Joyce loved to smile and share her happiness with customers at her jobs.Mostly she is rememberedby working at Hometown Variety Store and Dollar Discount Store in Brookings.

Joyce enjoyed collecting porcelain dolls, ceramic mice, listening to country music, and spending time with her grandchildren. She worked on Aurora City and Brookings County election boards, taught religion classes and helped with cancer and heart fund drives.

She is survived by her husband, Duane, of Aurora; two daughters, Jody (Wade) Havrevold of Volga, and Dina (Joel) Nielsen of Bruce; a son, Jason (Angie) Anderson, of Brookings; five grandchildren; and two brothers: Robert (Carol) Mersch of Boise, Idaho, and Leroy Pete (Barb) Mersch of Sioux Falls. She was preceded in death by her father, mother, step-father, and grandparents.