Joyce Arlene Karlstad, age 93 of Ellsworth died at her home with her family by her side. Joyce was born September 4, 1928 in River Falls; The daughter of Oscar and Faith (Hurst) Peterson. She was raised in River Falls where she graduated from high school. In 1946, she was married to Alvin Karlstad in Eau Claire. To this union, seven children were born. She was a devoted homemaker who was in her glory when all of the children and later the grandchildren were around! The more commotion going on at home, the bigger the smile. After the children were raised, she finished her schooling at Macalester College where she received training as a registered nurse. She began working at the River Falls Hospital before working at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Minneapolis and St. Paul Ramsey Hospital in St. Paul. If there was one word that symbolize Joyce, it could be content. She never complained and always counted her blessings. Her spiritual guidance and faith base was unwavering. She proudly passed this trait onto her children. She loved to see the cardinals filling their tummies with safflower seeds or the hummingbirds drinking up all the nectar. She enjoyed her time spent working with her ceramics and enjoyed all sorts of flowers; especially yellow roses. The smell of fresh baked bread or goodies always filled the house. Fresh baked pies, not only received raving reviews from family and friends, but at the county fair where she shared her talents and received many awards. You may have had one of her pies over the years, if you’ve been to one of Jack Hines auctions as they proudly served her pies.

Joyce will forever be remembered by her children Allen (Kathy) Karlstad of River Falls, Bruce (Christine) Karlstad of Ellsworth, Wayne (Sharon) Karlstad of Superior, Cheryl Ross of Hager City, Susan (Tom) Borst of Elmwood, Chuck (Julie) Karlstad of Ellsworth, daughter-in-law Jill Karlstad of Diamond Bluff; 18 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; siblings Laverne Shafer of Osseo, Leroy Peterson of River Falls, Joanne Freese of Grantsburg, Norma Fiedler of Grantsburg, Duane (Bev) Peterson of Hayward, and many nieces and nephews. Her husband, son Gary, grandson Craig, sister Evelyn (Jim) Lokrantz, Brothers/sisters-in-law Harold Karlstad, Mary Alice Peterson, Eldon Freese, Gerald Fiedler precede her death.

A Memorial service for Joyce Karlstad will be 11AM, Monday, April 18th at the English Lutheran Church in Ellsworth with Pastor Charlie Bunk officiating. Burial will be in the Trimbelle Cemetery as she will be laid to rest with her husband. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at church Monday morning. Memorials will be used to further her passions in life.

Services are entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ellsworth, www.oconnellfuneralservices.com, 715-273-4421