Joyce Kathleen (Swendra) Thorson of Mesa, Arizona, formerly of Howard Lake, Minnesota was called to her Eternal rest on October 15, 2025.
She was born on December 2, 1939 in Cokato, Minnesota to Ambrose and Catherine (Piehl) Swendra. She was baptized on June 6, 1940 at St. Adalbert Catholic Church in Silver Lake, Minnesota and confirmed on June 6, 1954 at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cokato.
Joyce was united in Holy Matrimony on June 16, 1956 to Dale Thorson and was blessed with three children.
After Dale’s passing in 1988, Joyce married Dennis Massey on November 27, 1999.
Joyce was an active member of the Howard Lake Lions Club and St John’s Lutheran Church. She enjoyed hunting, gardening, traveling and caring for her lawn. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family. In her career Joyce worked as a machinist for both Eaton and Dana Corporations.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and husbands. She is survived by her children, Terry (LaNette) Thorson, Bruce (Gerry) Thorson, and Cindy (Mike) Kaine, step children, Dawn Sorenson, and Bret (Jill) Massey, 14 grandchildren, many great grandchildren, relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Howard Lake Lions Club or St. John’s Lutheran Church of Howard Lake.
Services are Saturday, November 1, 2025 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, MN at 11:00 a.m. There will be a visitation one hour prior to the service.
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