Joyce Ellen Ellingson

Joyce Ellen Ellingson

1951–2020

Our dear Joyce passed away peacefully at home on Saturday evening, October 10, 2020 with son Kevin and husband Bruce at her side, just hours shy of her 69 ^th birthday. Diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer of the pancreas and liver 4 ½ years ago, Joyce faced it all with quiet, resilient strength and a smile. She never asked, “Why me?” Cancer may have taken her body, but it did not conquer her spirit.

Her life was defined by kindness, love, humility, and grace. She was a constant loving presence with a deep, abiding commitment for her family. Joyce always put others first. She adored her two big brothers and their families and cherished the family get-togethers. In recent years, she talked to her mother virtually every day. But the biggest loves of her life were her children, Kjersten and Kevin. She advocated for them, nurtured them, and was a wonderful model of kindness and gentleness.

Joyce was born to Stanley and Inez Elliott in Spooner, WI on October 11, 1951. She graduated from Spooner High School and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Joyce worked as a medical technologist and later as a certifying scientist at Medtox Laboratories for many years, where she loved the diverse group of people she worked with.

Singing and music were always a big part of Joyce’s life, from high school choir and triple trio to church choirs and bell choirs at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth and now at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. A familiar sound around the house was her voice at the piano, as she worked through her part in a new piece of music.

She cultivated deep and steadfast friendships, sharing in their highs and caring for them in the lows. She would often send encouraging texts and notes that seemed to arrive at just the right time. Solace and restoration always came from hiking the Superior Hiking Trail along Lake Superior. A special place throughout her married life, the Big Lake’s presence invariably worked its magic when we needed it most. We will find her there again.

Joyce is survived by her loving husband of 43 years Bruce Ellingson; son Kevin Ellingson and wife Molly Eagen; dear mother Inez Elliott; brothers Roger (Ellen) Elliott and Robert (Wendy) Elliott; nephews Mark (Ann) Elliott, Aaron (Danica) Elliott, and Jesse Ellingson Diaz, niece Lisa (Chris) Miller; and sister-in-law Karen Ellingson; as well as great-nieces Morgan, Cecelia, Clarice, and Idra; and great-nephews Levi and Ty.  She is preceded in death by daughter Kjersten Marie, grandsons William David and Nelson Sidney, father Stanley Elliott, and niece Iliana Ellingson Diaz.

Our deepest thanks to the personnel at Allina Health Hospice and Minnesota Oncology. We are forever indebted for the kind, compassionate care provided our beloved Joyce.

Due to current restrictions, a private memorial service will be held Sunday, November 1, 2020 at Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, MN with interment following in the Central Lutheran Church columbarium. Visit the Central Lutheran website at www.centralmpls.org and follow the links for live streaming of the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorials be directed to Central Lutheran Church-Music or the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation ( www.netrf.org ).