Obituary for Joyce Johnson

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, November 25, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Faith Hill Assembly of God Church in Bagley, Minnesota with a visitation one hour prior to the service at the church with Pastor John Swanson officiating. Interment will be held at the Westby Cemetery. The Cease Family Funeral Home of Bagley assisted the family with arrangements. 

Joyce was born on June 22, 1938, in Bagley, Minnesota.  She was the daughter of Emil and Grace (Ziegler) Murray.  Joyce lived with her family in Portland and Chicago before moving to Bagley.  She attended Bagley High School and graduated in 1956.  Joyce married Lawrence Johnson on November 30, 1957, at Fosston, Minnesota. Joyce was a hard worker and has worked at many places in her life. She worked at the Mileage Café, the Drift Inn, the Red Owl Grocery Store, the Hartz Store, and Kubiaks.  Lawrence and Joyce owned Johnsons Lakeside Grocery store from 1993 until 1995.  She went to work at Lueken’s in Bemidji where she was the Flower Department Manager.  Joyce retired in 2005 when she was 67 years old. Joyce had a spunky personality, with great wit and a clever sense of humor. Joyce used to say, “I drink coffee to keep my tan”!  She enjoyed playing Bingo every Friday night, going to the Casino and watching any kind of music show that was performing.  She was fond of going for rides with her husband. Lawrence and Joyce spent many years logging while also dairy farming. They were dairy farmers for 13 years.  The couple sold their farm in 1976, and moved into town. Joyce adored her flowers and her “Frog Garden”. Joyce was quite a cook and baker and was always making tasty homecooked meals. She wouldn’t miss a chance to play cards, especially Gin Rummy, or take a trip to Bemidji to shop particularly for jewelry.  Joyce was an Auxiliary member at the Irvin Blix American Legion Post #16 of Bagley and attended Faith Hill Assembly of God Church. Joyce’s grandchildren were her life, and she watched them growing up.  She was an enormous influence in all their lives and has made a huge impact on all of their hearts.

Joyce is survived by her daughter – Cheryl Snook of Bagley, Minnesota

Granddaughter – Melissa Johnson & John Good of Battle Lake, Minnesota

Granddaughter - Holly & Ryan Strickler of Anchorage, Alaska

Granddaughter – Nicole & Ken Davis of Wasilla, Alaska

Grandson – Derrick Goodwin of Rice Lake, Minnesota

Grandson - Dennis and Sarah Goodwin of Rice Lake, Minnesota

Great grandchildren - Samantha, Haley and Justin Olson; Lindsey and Sam Strickler; Taylor Davis; Jayden and Ashawnte Goodwin; Teri, Tyra, Daunte, Dani Ann, Daynia, Dalyan, Destin, Denessa, Desire Goodwin, Jax Olson and Kayden.

Great great grandchildren - Emberly Strom, Braven, Brighten Cloud and Akeenah Goodwin

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; her husband – Lawrence; her brother – Frank Randall and Clyde Milton; sister- Marlyce Halverson; stepmother - Louella Murray and great grandson Dennis Goodwin Jr.

In lieu of flowers the family would prefer memorials to be sent to offset funeral expenses to: 

Cease Family Funeral Homes

P.O. Box 87

Bagley, Minnesota 56621

c/o Joyce Johnson 

A crowd funding fund has been created on the Cease Funeral Home web page as well, ceasefuneralhome.com

Messages of condolence may be sent to ceasefuneralhome.com