Joyce Ione (Butler) Edwardson

Joyce Edwardson, 102, of Willmar, died Tuesday, October 31, 2023, at Copperleaf Senior Living in Willmar.   Her funeral will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 7, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment will be in Vikor Lutheran Church Cemetery, Solomon Lake.  Memorials may be directed to the Vikor Lutheran Cemetery Association.  Funeral arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. www.hafh.org

Joyce Ione Edwardson was born June 24, 1921, in Thorp, Wisconsin, the daughter of Guy and Frances (Worden) Butler.  She grew up in Bulterville, WI, and Dassel, Kandiyohi, New London, and Willmar, MN.  She was baptized at Oak Park Methodist Church near Kandiyohi in 1935.  She graduated from Willmar High School in 1939 and from St. Cloud State Teachers College in 1941. 

On August 15, 1942, she married M. Odell Edwardson at Oak Park Methodist Church near Kandiyohi.  Six children: Joyce, Michael, Margaret, Jeanne, John, and Steven, were born to their marriage.  They lived in Ft. Sill, OK, while Odell served in the US Army.  They later returned to the Willmar area and farmed near Svea, Kerkhoven and Pennock.  In 2001, they moved to West View Village in Willmar and Joyce resided the past several years at Vista Prairie at Copperleaf Senior Living.

Prior to starting her family, Joyce taught school at a country school in Fahlun Township.  Later in life, she worked at Torgerson’s in Willmar and at Glen Oaks Care Center in New London.  Joyce was active in 4-H when her kids were young.  She was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar, where she was active as a Sunday School teacher, Bible study leader, and with Altar Guild, Joy Circle, and Ladies Aid.   She was also active with the Willmar Senior Citizens.

She is survived by three children: Joyce (Lary) Heida  of Champlin, MN, Margaret Peterson of Hanover, MN, and John (Peggy) Edwardson of New London, MN; a daughter-in-law: Sue Edwardson of Sioux Falls, SD; seventeen grandchildren: Shellane, Paul, Peter, Sheri, Roger, Don, Brian, Mark, Marcy, Matthew, Meghann, Toren, Hannah, Linnea, Mona, Joshua, and Justine; 28 great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband: M. Odell Edwardson in 2007; two sons: Steven Edwardson and Michael Edwardson; a daughter: Jeanne Nelson; and three brothers: Robert, William, and John Butler.

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