Joyce Nicholas

Joyce Nicholas, 61, West Fargo, ND, died January 9, 2015, in Sanford Palliative Care, Fargo, ND.

Joyce Marie Laturnus, the daughter of Emma (Rombs) and Paul Laturnus, was born March 22, 1953, in Devils Lake, ND. She lived on the family's farm near Considine, ND, until 1968, when they moved to Cando, ND. Joyce graduated from Cando High School in 1971. She then attended Lake Region Junior College, where she graduated in 1973. She also attended North Dakota State University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1978. After serving with Cass County, Joyce then went to work for the Veterans Administration Hospital in Fargo. She worked there 35 years as a library technician. Joyce also was employed as a receptionist at Elim Rehab and Care Center, Fargo, for 14 ½ years.

Joyce spent many years with the Beginning Experiences (B.E.) program in the Fargo-Moorhead area. She served as a facilitator and coordinator with the group, where she made many longtime friends.

Joyce is survived by her mother, Emma Laturnus; daughters, Kristen (Aaron) Crowe, of Concord, Calif., and Jaclyn (Kyle) Roos, of Little Canada, Minn.; her siblings, Dorothy (Aldon) Anderson, Devils Lake, Don (Denny Hasko) Laturnus, Seattle, WA, Jerry (Sheila) Laturnus, of Cando, Paulette (Bruce) Moenkedick, of Perham, MN, Rob (Jinnie) Laturnus, of Fort Collins, CO, Bill Laturnus, of Jamestown, ND, Jo Ann (Dewane) Heisler, of Casselton, ND, and Sandi (Kent) Leith, of McKinney, TX; grandchildren, Jordan Funfar, Emma Crowe, Charlee Roos and Layla Roos; 18 nieces and nephews; 10 great-nieces and great-nephews; her special friends Lori and Todd Funfar; and her longtime companion, Richard Estes.

She is preceded in death by her father, Paul Laturnus; her infant sister, Jeannette Laturnus; her grandparents, Joseph and Angelica Rombs and Sylvester and Gunda (Jane) Laturnus; and many aunts and uncles. Joe and Gladys Nicholas, paternal grandparents of Kristen and Jaclyn, held special places in Joyce's heart, and also preceded her in death.

Memorials in Joyce's honor may be sent to St. Odilia American National Catholic Church, P.O. Box 10445, Fargo, ND, 58106-0445.

Visitation will be Tuesday, January 13, 2015, from 5 - 7 PM, with a prayer service at 7 PM, in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.

Her Memorial Mass will be Saturday, January 17, 2015, at 10:30 AM, in Elim Lutheran Church, Fargo.