Joyce Ardell Sather

UPCOMING SERVICE: Saturday, July 11, 2020.

Joyce Ardell Sather joined the Lord Friday, April 17, 2020, in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

She was born on the Eftefield Farm near Stephen, MN, and was the eldest of nine children of Albert & Marie (Martinson) Eftefield. She graduated from Crookston AC in 1951. She worked at Woolworths in Grand Forks. She married Ernie Solberg and moved to Jacksonville, NC, where Jean was born April 9, 1953. Richard Elliot was born on June 21, 1954 in Warren, MN.

Later, Joyce met the love of her life, Clarence, when she was a “Housekeeper” for the Sather Brothers’ Farm. In short order, Clarence realized that Joyce was the woman of his dreams. They were married November 8, 1958 at First Lutheran in Stephen, MN and honeymooned in Tennessee. All the men had questioned Clarence’s judgment by agreeing to marriage during hunting season. Friends and neighbors welcomed them back with an old-fashioned Chivaree at the Bigwoods farm. They all excitedly welcomed Michael Leroy to complete their family on Jan 7, 1960.

Joyce and Clarence enjoyed their life on the farm for over 40 years. From spring planting to fall harvest, snowstorms, and spring floods in every season, Joyce was the quintessential farmers wife. She delighted in everything God created. Joyce loved family, taking photos, painting, playing cards, crafts, crochet, farm life, reunions, sharing her over the top banana splits, lemon pie, caramel rolls; and you never had to ask her twice if she wanted to dance. Joyce was proud- and rightfully so- of being 100% Norwegian: this made her lefse taste even better. Her sunny, playful sense of humor made light of the dark or ridiculous & gave you a feeling that nothing could ever be so bad. Joyce’s excitement for life kept her ahead of her time and younger than her years.

She is survived by her three children Jean Weivoda, Richard (Moira) Solberg, & Michael (Lori) Sather; five grandchildren, Natalie (Kelvin) Drake, Mark (Laura) Satek, Lauren (Patrick) Weivoda, Kristen (Brandon) Steckler, and Erica Solberg; five great-grandchildren, Alexander, Logan, Thor, Theodore, & Ava; siblings: Larry (Juanita) Eftefield, Wallace Eftefield, Marlys (Jim) Kelly, Yvonne Coder, Gordy (Rose) Eftefield, Lynn Morson, Doreen (Bob) Arlandson; and many beloved nieces & nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clarence Sather; sister, Judy Murray; son-in-law, Harold Weivoda; and brothers-in-law, Mark Morson & Lee Coder.

The family has such gratitude to the gals in the Card Club, her friends in Bigwoods Birthday club, the Ladies Aid, and the Oslo Senior Center; thank you for making Joyce’s later years a great time for her. Thank you, Mom, for leaving a legacy of faith, love, loyalty, and of helping others. Thank you for the enormous collection of family pictures, we are so happy you took them, for they remind us of your constant love. We will cherish your inviting and kind spirit as you always took time for people. God Bless You Mom!

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and may be directed to Bigwoods Lutheran Church, Oslo, MN.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE:  Saturday, July 11, 2020, at 10:00 AM, in Bigwoods Lutheran Cemetery, rural Oslo, MN.
NOTE:  Please bring your own chair, if desired.   CDC Guidelines on Social-Distancing will be followed.

INTERMENT: Bigwoods Lutheran Cemetery, rural Oslo, MN.

LUNCHEON: Will follow the service at the Sather Family Farm.

BREAKFAST ON SUNDAY:  July 12th, at 10:00 AM, at the Eftefield Farm (46287 400th Street NW, Stephen, MN 56762).
 

To view the video of Joyce's family service, please click the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/DuBoreFuneralHome/videos/597847894410846/