Joyce Eileen Wakefield, 81, of Hartland, Minnesota passed away on September 6, 2024, after a brave battle against an infection. She was born in Mankato in 1943 to loving parents Benedict and Margaret Eustice. She was raised on the family farm near Janesville and grew up having all kinds of adventures with her 4 brothers and sisters. She often recalled idyllic stories of her childhood to her granddaughters like how she’d dress up her kittens and take them for rides in a wagon. A love for kittens is one of many things she passed on to her children and her grandchildren.

Joyce Eileen Wakefield

Joyce attended Janesville school until 8th grade and later graduated from Sacred Heart in Waseca in 1961. Prior to getting married, Joyce worked for several doctors in Minneapolis and Rochester. She was united in marriage to Larry Wakefield on January 20, 1968. She was then a dedicated stay-at-home mom to her 3 boys as they raised them on the Wakefield family cattle farm. She later balanced farm and family life with jobs at the New Richland Care Center and at E.F. Johnson/Itron of Waseca.

Joyce loved all things esthetic but in an intentional, cozy way that brought comfort to her family. She was always trying out new recipes and decorating for each new season and holiday. She had a knack for gardening and loved being amongst her flowers and vegetables. Her home was a warm and loving environment where she was frequently lending an ear to family and friends alike. She was gentle and patient and had a quiet but very deep faith.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband Larry, her sons Kyle (Emily), Travis (Laurie), and Dan, her granddaughters Lauren, Naomi and Abby, her sister Pat, sisters-in-law Monica Priebe (Charlie) and Ruth Eustice, brothers-in-law Lowell (Darlene) and John, extra special cousin friends Beth Knudson and Margaret Stewart, and many loving nieces and nephews on both sides of the family. She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Richard and Dennis and sister Jan. Her grandchildren picture her dancing in heaven’s gardens with her loved ones as they are serenaded by her favorite performers, Elvis and Johnny Cash.

The family would like to thank the ICU and palliative care staff at Saint Mary’s of Rochester for their thorough and compassionate care. A special thank you goes to nurse Wade who was by her side providing exceptional care most of the time she was hospitalized.

Service will be at Cross of Glory church in Hartland at 11am on Saturday September 14th with visitation one hour prior. Pastor Marcia Pedersen will be officiating. Interment at Saint Peter’s cemetery in New Richland will follow the service.