Joyce A. Finstrom - Jensen

Joyce A. Finstrom – Jensen, 86, of Atwater, died Saturday, July 13th at Bethesda Grand Club Suites in Willmar.  Her memorial service will be 1:00 pm, Thursday, July 18th at Faith Lutheran Church in Spicer with family burial in Clover Leaf Cemetery.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar.  

Joyce was born July 7, 1933, in Willmar, the daughter of Archie and Stella (Aaby) Latterell.  She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church (now Faith Lutheran Church) where she has been a lifelong member.  She graduated from Willmar High School in 1951.

On April 4, 1953 she was united in marriage to Leslie Finstrom at Zion Lutheran Church.  They farmed and raised their three children in Kandiyohi Township.  Leslie died in 1983. Joyce worked at the Kandiyohi Elevator, Kandiyohi County Treasurer’s Office, and in 1997 retired from Woodland Centers after 18 years.  For several years, she was active in the DFL party and as a 4-H leader.

On December 20, 2006, Joyce married Donald Jensen and they lived on Diamond Lake. For the past 20 years, she volunteered as a Senior Companion, at Central Community Transit, and at Youth for Christ.  She was a Volunteer of the Year recipient.

Her joy in life was helping and encouraging others. Joyce’s radiant smile was her trademark that lifted many spirits. She enjoyed puzzles, playing cards, her flowers, and especially being on the lake and watching all the activity on the water.  Joyce’s greatest pride and joy was her family and the time they spent together.  She believed in Christ as her Lord and Savior, read her Bible faithfully and shared her faith with others.

Surviving are her children: Linda (David) Loken of Ramsey; Wesley (Sandra) Finstrom of Kandiyohi; Joy Olson (and fiancée, Dan Fennell) of Orono; nine grandchildren: Leah (Justin) Godbee, Adam (Shelly) Olson, Aaron (Josselyn) Finstrom,  Jessica (Andrew) Pafko, Lindsey (Jason) Bogenreif, Trevor Loken, Raena Loken (fiancée, Josh Cunningham), Dylan Finstrom and Dustin Finstrom; 10 great grandchildren: Lucas, Lilly, Isla, Reid, Evelyn, Ella, Olivia, Brady, Grant and  Kiarra.  Also surviving is her sister, Beverly Johnson-Zupon of Forest Lake.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, and siblings, Alton Latterell and Gwendolyn Larson.

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