Meet Joyce

Meet Joyce

Meet Joyce

Meet Joyce. Joyce was born August 18, 1941. She grew up in St. Cloud, along with her four younger siblings. She attended St. Anthony’s Catholic Grade School and Technical Senior High School. Joyce loved her teachers in grade school. They were Benedictine Nuns and she remembers each of their names. For fun, she would play with neighborhood kids. They would skate and go sliding during the winter months. One of her girlfriends had a brother who would take them home after school. He was a Marine named Louie and eventually became Joyce’s husband.

As Joyce was growing up, both of her parents worked. Her father was a mechanic at Sinclair Station in Sauk Rapids along with other auto service centers. Her mother was a seamstress at Stearns Manufacturing in Sauk Rapids. She worked on life vests and jackets. Joyce proudly mentioned that her mom didn’t even need a pattern.

As an adult, Joyce worked as a Pellet Charger for 25 years at Federal Cartridge Ammunition in Anoka. She would put a primer mix into 22 shells. The work was hard but they always had interesting Christmas buffets. Louie was a Master Barber in Blaine. She retired in 2001 and they moved to Palisade, MN. Sadly, in 2006, Louie passed away. They raised four children; Maria, Eddie Jr., Daniel and Melissa. Joyce has eleven grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Celebrating holidays together has been a family tradition that continues to this day.

Although Joyce hasn’t traveled a lot, she does have fond memories of one trip. In 2007, she went to the East Coast with her two sisters and their husbands in an extended cab truck. They all stayed in one room at hotels as they traveled. They were on the road for almost three weeks. They all enjoyed the trip and took in a lot of history. Joyce collected shot glasses from each place they visited. She also bought souvenir shirts for the kids and grandkids.

Joyce moved to Good Shepherd in 2012 and lives with her adorable cat “Cookie.” She enjoys sewing quilt blocks for tops and runners, crocheting and is willing to help whenever needed. Her favorite food is Spaghetti. She loves volunteering in the gardens here at Good Shepherd. Joyce’s mother lived at Shepherd Oak West for one year before she passed away. During that experience, Joyce was very happy with the staff and really liked the apartments. Eventually, she decided this is where she wanted to live. It’s been six years and Joyce says, “I feel very safe here, enjoy the community of good people and love the gardens! I have everything I need right here.” We are proud that Joyce calls Good Shepherd home.

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