Joyce Lorraine Johnsen, age 81, of Hudson, died on February 1, 2011 at the Hudson Hospital.  Joyce was born on March 25, 1929 to Martin and Ida (Opdahl) Peronto in Duluth, Minnesota.  She grew up in Indiana and graduated from Horace Mann High School in Gary, Indiana.  On October 29, 1949 she was united in marriage to Loren Johnsen at Trinity Lutheran Church in Superior, Wisconsin.  The family lived in Superior and Eau Claire eventually making Hudson their home following retirement.  Their marriage was blessed by three children; Steven, Pamela & Terry.  In February of 2007, Loren passed away.

Joyce worked as a Business office manager for the Wisconsin Telephone Company for many years.  She was also very involved in her church and community.  With her skills with a needle and thread she made many quilts and was a member of Queen’s Court & SPED.  She also enjoyed doing hardanger.  With Bethel Lutheran Church she was a member of many committees and volunteer groups.  She was also one of the founding members of the Annual Scandinavian Food Fest.  Always interested in her heritage, Joyce enjoyed tracing her Norwegian roots even visiting Norway 3 times.  She was always her kid’s and grandkid’s biggest fan at sporting events and other activities and was a proud hockey grandma.  She cherished time spent with her family and loved to take part in game time which included; Skip-Bo, Cribbage, Dominos and Wizard, among other games.  She also passed on her love of cooking though favorite heirloom family recipes.

Joyce is survived by; her children, Steven (Rita) of Summit, WI, Pamela Mattila of Hudson, and Terry (Claudia) of Eagan, MN; grandchildren, Julia Johnsen of Minneapolis, MN, Jessica (Samantha) Mohn-Johnsen of Portland, OR, Josh Mattila of Iowa City, IA, Ben Mattila of Casper, WY, Erik Johnsen of Brooklyn, NY, Tom Johnsen of Madison, WI, and Lauren Johnsen of Ames, IA; sister, Elinor Goldyn of Milwaukee & aunt, Lillian Lorentzen of Glendale, AZ.

Joyce is preceded in death by; her parents, Martin and Ida Peronto; husband, Loren Johnsen; sister, Elaine Gadd & brother, Dale Peronto and son-in-law James Mattila.

Funeral services for Joyce will be held on Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 10am at Bethel Lutheran Church, downtown Hudson.  Burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery in Superior, Wisconsin that afternoon.  Visitation will be held from 9 to 10am on Saturday at the church as well as from 5-7pm on Friday, February 4 at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson.  Services are in the care of the O’Connell Family Funeral Home – Hudson. 715-386-3725