LARSON, Joyce Marie

Joyce Marie Larson 80, passed away peacefully at home on June 18, 2010, in Phoenix, AZ. Joyce Marie was born in Lisbon, North Dakota, on January 24, 1930 to Bert and Ellen Bergeson. She grew up in Tigerton, Wisconsin, and Estherville, Iowa, and graduated from Augustana Academy in 1948. She married Loren Larson in 1951, and they divorced in 1981. Joyce raised her family in Iowa and then in Alexandria, Minnesota, from 1963 until 1981. She was an active member of First Lutheran Church and a long-time employee of Bellanca Aircraft Factory. In 1984, Joyce moved to Tucson, Arizona, where she lived until 2008. She was employed by Harlow Gardens in Tucson for 20 years. She joined Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in 1984, and joined the Quilting Group, Liturgical Arts, Bible Study, Circle, and the Casa Maria Project. She moved to Fellowship Square in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2008. She is survived by her children, Rhonda of Phoenix, Arizona, Cynthia of Tempe, Arizona, and Daniel of St. Paul, Minnesota; brothers, Robert and Lyle (Jane) Bergeson; four nephews and one niece, and many grandnieces, grandnephews, and cousins. Memorial Services and a reception will be held at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 1200 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, AZ 85719, on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, Joyce requested donations to Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Liturgical Arts or Casa Maria, in her memory. Cards may be sent c/o R. Larson, 4147 W. Diana Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85051. Published in the Tucson Newspapers on July 11, 2010