Joyce M. Johnson

Joyce Marie Johnson, 71, of Fargo passed away on May 24, 2013 at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale, MN, after a long hospitalization of over four months in Fargo and the Twin Cities.

Joyce was born Jan. 8, 1942 in Valley City, ND to Charles and Belinda (Paulson) Froelich. She grew up on a farm 10 miles north of Valley City near Lake Ashtabula. She started first grade at age five and attended grades one through eight at a one-room country school. She was the only one in her grade all eight years. She graduated from Valley City High School in 1959. Joyce attended North Dakota State College of Science at Wahpeton, ND for six months and received a two-year degree in Advanced Secretarial Training. While at NDSCS she worked in the registrar's office. She worked as a secretary-receptionist at Northwestern Equipment Co. Inc. in Fargo, ND from 1960 to 1962.

Joyce married Darrell Arlin Johnson on July 8, 1961 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Valley City, ND. They lived in Fargo and Moorhead, including apartment buildings where they were caretakers and at one time were landlords to eight Interstate Business College students. Their last move was to a house they built in North Fargo where they have lived for 40 years.

Their first son, Daniel, was born in 1962. Their daughter, Tammy, was born in 1966. Their second son, Timothy, was born in 1971.

Joyce was a home typist in her home for Underwriters Service Co. from 1969 to 1971. In 1973, Joyce became a Licensed Child Care Provider in her home. She provided infant, preschool and school age care and provided a daily preschool activities program. Joyce was the originator and charter member of ABDC (Association For Better Day Care) which started in 1982. She was on the committee for bettering daycare in ND and was an ongoing member to continue to support child care providers. She was a member of NDCCPI (ND Child Care Providers, Inc.) and received her four year infant-toddler modular training from NDSU, Fargo, ND. In December of 2006, Joyce retired from 35 years of daycare.

Joyce was a long-time member of Elim Lutheran Church, Fargo. One of the various things she did, for many years, was to be in charge of the Sunday morning Nursery.

Joyce is survived by her husband, Darrell, of Fargo, ND, a son, Daniel (Candace) Johnson, Valley City, ND, a daughter, Tammy (Paul) Douville, Faribault, MN, a son, Timothy Johnson, Phoenix, AZ, a brother, John (Sandra) Froelich, Valley City, ND, a brother, Jim (Darlene) Froelich, Bismarck, ND, a sister Frances Harshman, Valley City, ND, four grandsons, Nathan and Matthew Johnson, Valley City, ND and Nicholas and Charles Douville, Faribault, MN, and many nieces and nephews.

Joyce is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Belinda Froelich, and two sisters, Lillian Franklin and Margaret Wittenberg.

Joyce's video tribute can be viewed at http://www.philpetersonproductions.com/hr-memorials.htm