Joyce Ann Olson (née Kingery)

May 25, 1944 – April 1, 2020
Age 75 of Blaine passed away on April 1, 2020, unexpectedly following hospitalization with pneumonia and underlying complications of diabetes and liver issues. A celebration of life will be planned for sometime in the future when we are once again allowed to gather together.

Joyce was born May 25, 1944 and graduated from Marathon High School in 1962. She then attended Gates Business School, in Waterloo, IA. She was married to Dennis Olson in 1964, whom she met at age 3 in Sunday School. Although they divorced, they remained close companions and continued to enjoy life together. Joyce lived her entire life in the Midwest; living in Iowa until moving to the Twin Cities area in 1986. She worked over 25 years for the Anoka Hennepin School District; first in the district offices followed by many cherished years, as a secretary, at Oakview Middle School. Joyce, a breast cancer survivor, enjoyed playing cards, singing, playing the piano, gardening, traveling, being outdoors and cooking. She had a passion for sports, which started in her high school days where she played girls basketball, and had a Believe-It-or-Not experience of scoring 56 points in a single game, and yet the team still lost. She enjoyed watching all levels and types of sports from professional, to college, to youth where she made a point to attend all of her grandchildren’s activities. Above all else, she loved and cherished her family and friends whether near or far. Joyce continued to stay active until her final days and enjoyed life to the fullest.

Joyce is survived by Dennis Olson and their two daughters, Jill (and Mike) Patrou, of Coon Rapids, MN, and Leslie Olson of Brooklyn Park, MN; her two grandsons John (15) and Brian (10) Patrou; her brother Larry (and Judy) Kingery; and sister Susan (and Les) Olson; and many relatives, nieces, nephews and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Delmer and Gertrude (Green) Kingery. (Published in the Star Tribune on April 4, 2020)