Joyce Knudson

Joyce Elaine Knudson was born on January 8, 1928 in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the daughter of Gerald and Gladys Gullikson of Gilby, ND.  She died January 3, 2020 in Northwood, ND. She was baptized at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Honeyford, ND, and was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Larimore, ND.  The farmer’s life was in her blood:  as a child, she was often to be found in the field, the barn, or on her horse, and as she expressed to us: ”I always loved farming and am glad I found a farmer to marry (June 1, 1947).  All animals found a place in my heart, especially horses and dogs”.

Joyce was educated in a one-room country school, Larimore High school and Mayville State Teacher’s College. She spent one year teaching near Manvel, ND.

She lived a life as a farmer in full partnership with her loving husband, Glenn, until their retirement.  They shared other interests as well, primarily flying around the country in a small plane.

Joyce’s other accomplishments were singing in the church choir, teaching Bible and Sunday school, sharing knowledge with 4H girls, and being an active member of an Our Saviors’ circle. She was always generous with her time and knowledge in these pursuits. Her biggest legacy to her family was unconditional love that they should now, in turn, pass on to others.

Joyce and Glenn raised three daughters, Merle (Steve) Heidemann, Cathy (Larry) Ciaffoni, Wanda (Michael Jacobson) and enjoyed seven grandchildren (Bjorn, Craig, Erik, Matthew, Britt, Zachary and Fredric). She acted as a grandmother to her brother’s children, Emily and Chris and also was great grandmother to ten children (Molly, Maggie, Ava, Slade, Calvin, Fox, Kira, Mary, Beck and Veronica).  She is survived by a brother, Gerald Gullikson (Susan) and two sisters, Marge Cannon and Lucille Caughron. A sister, Lois McGuire, and son-in-law Thomas Olsen, preceded her in death.

Joyce was prepared for death, secure in the knowledge of Jesus as her Savior.

Celebration of her life and Funeral Service will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Larimore on Friday, January 24, at 11 am.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service.

Interment will be held in Bellevue Cemetery, Larimore, ND.