Joyce E. Larson, age 84, of Hendricks, Minnesota, formerly of White, South Dakota, passed away on Saturday, October 21, 2017, at the Hendricks Nursing Home.  Memorial services will be held on Thursday, October 26, 2017, at 7:00 P.M., at GracePoint Wesleyan Church in Brookings.  Visitation will take place from 5:00 P.M. until the time of service.  Private family burial will be held prior to visitation at Fairview Cemetery in White.

Joyce Eunice Heemeyer was born on January 28, 1933, in Castlewood, South Dakota, to Jacob and Nettie (Van Stryland) Heemeyer.  Joyce spent her childhood in Castlewood, and graduated as Valedictorian of her Castlewood High School senior class.  After graduation, Joyce worked at the Castlewood Bank, and as a babysitter for a local family, it was there that she was introduced to Richard O. Larson, who worked as a farmhand for the same family.  They were married on June 12, 1952, and started farming west of Castlewood.  The couple then moved west of Bruce in 1959, and farmed there until 1962 when they bought their present farm, which they named the L-Cedar Ranch.

Joyce is remembered as being a hard-working farm wife, bookkeeper, and excellent cook.  She also worked part-time at First National Bank in White.  Joyce began working at Norwest (Wells Fargo) in Brookings in 1976 until retirement in 1996.

Joyce was active in many groups and organizations in her lifetime, including being baptized and married at the Bemis Christian Reformed Church, the Zion Lutheran Church in White, GracePoint Wesleyan Church in Brookings, Shine, Volunteer Service Bank, and the Reading Mentor Program.

Joyce especially enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  After retirement, Joyce and Richard were able to travel for several years.

Joyce will be greatly missed by her children: Daughter-in-law Deanna Larson, of Marshall, MN, Russell (Jill) Larson, of White, SD,  Virginia (James) Heesch, of Flandreau, SD, and David (Kim) Larson, of Ft. Pierre, SD; grandchildren: Michael (Shelley) Larson, Jeremy Larson, Jeffrey Larson, Jennifer (Joe) Frederiksen, Michelle Heesch, Melissa Heesch (Michael Hanson), Cade Larson, and Martee Larson, great-grandchildren: Jacob Larson, Emalee Larson, Samuel Larson, Talon Everding, Tavyn Everding, and Lyla Hanson, and dear friend Judy Niklason.

Joyce was reunited in heaven with her husband, Richard O. Larson; son, Steven Larson; parents, Jacob and Nettie Heemeyer; and sister, Nellie Rindels.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the Hendricks Hospital Hospice Program or the Fairview Cemetery Fund.