How surreal this is, to be writing about one of our favorite people--Joyce A. (Loughead) Iverson...the BEST wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandma, great grandma, aunt, sister and friend. At age 70, our courageous hero peacefully passed away on Wednesday, June 30th, 2021 with her husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren by her side. She fought a vicious battle against advanced lung cancer, then bone cancer, a new lung cancer, followed by lymph node cancer and lastly, brain cancer, but she WON. At the time of her passing, our hero had no active cancer. Unfortunately, the toll of this vicious battle left her very physically weak and short of breath. Her mental strength and clarity, however, never wavered. A true testament to the strong, resilient person that she was; strong, sharp and caring up to her last moments on this earth!
Our favorite person was born on February 26 (1951) and according to her, this was always the best day of the year. Her parents were Joseph and Alma (Odden) Loughead (known by most as Ga-Ga); and she was the last of 10 children, leaving behind her sister Lois (Lloyd) Peterson (Grand Forks, ND); her brothers Joey (Sandy) Loughead (Grafton, ND) and Jerry Loughead (Park River, ND) and many, many nieces and nephews. She grew up and attended school in Park River, earned her GED and attended/graduated from Aakers Business College in Grand Forks, ND.
In the summer of 1971, Joyce began dating Larry A. Iverson and they married on December 3rd, 1971; they spent 49 wonderful years together creating a beautiful family, which was Joyce’s proudest accomplishment. She always referred to us as “The Iverson 5.” Since then, we have added many wonderful people to our original 5. Her family: Larry A. Iverson, her forever companion; their oldest daughter, Tammy and her husband, Jason McMillian and their 4 children Cody (Emily) Boyle, Misty (Jimmy) Praska & Drew & Maci McMillan; their middle child, Lori and her husband, Cory Seim and their 3 children Nicholas Mathern, Caden & Kaylee Seim, and the caboose, their son Larry J. and his wife Kirissa Iverson. She was also blessed with 5 great grandchildren: Caprice, Poppi, River & Sage Praska and Gi Gi Boyle. She loved being a part of all of our lives.
Joyce had a variety of work experiences over the course of her life, but she was proudest of being part of the First Care Health Center Family because her co-workers made her feel valuable, needed and important. Looking back, everywhere she worked, she helped people in our community whether at the Life Skills and Transition Center, Park River Good Samaritan Center, First Care Health Center or even as owner/operator of the Club Bar in Park River, ND.
Joyce had a huge presence and family was so important to her. There were many things that brought her happiness, but being surrounded by good times and laughter from the people who meant the most to her was what really lit up her world. For this reason, she loved all family get-togethers and the holidays, especially Christmas and the Fourth of July. As Joyce's family grew, so did her activity list. She loved attending all events from birthday parties, to dance recitals, to sports events, family graduations and weddings. She was and will forever be the glue to our family, our family matriarch, our brave, courageous hero.
Joyce will be welcomed in heaven by several family members, including her parents; sisters Joanne (Adrian) Denault, Marilyn (Woody) Sculthorp; brothers Wilber Stenerson, Alan Stenerson, Willard (Barbara) Stenerson, Jimmy Loughead, and her best friend Nancy Peterson.
Memorial Services will be Monday, July 5, 2021 at 2:30 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Inurnment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery, Park River.
Our favorite person was born on February 26 (1951) and according to her, this was always the best day of the year. Her parents were Joseph and Alma (Odden) Loughead (known by most as Ga-Ga); and she was the last of 10 children, leaving behind her sister Lois (Lloyd) Peterson (Grand Forks, ND); her brothers Joey (Sandy) Loughead (Grafton, ND) and Jerry Loughead (Park River, ND) and many, many nieces and nephews. She grew up and attended school in Park River, earned her GED and attended/graduated from Aakers Business College in Grand Forks, ND.
In the summer of 1971, Joyce began dating Larry A. Iverson and they married on December 3rd, 1971; they spent 49 wonderful years together creating a beautiful family, which was Joyce’s proudest accomplishment. She always referred to us as “The Iverson 5.” Since then, we have added many wonderful people to our original 5. Her family: Larry A. Iverson, her forever companion; their oldest daughter, Tammy and her husband, Jason McMillian and their 4 children Cody (Emily) Boyle, Misty (Jimmy) Praska & Drew & Maci McMillan; their middle child, Lori and her husband, Cory Seim and their 3 children Nicholas Mathern, Caden & Kaylee Seim, and the caboose, their son Larry J. and his wife Kirissa Iverson. She was also blessed with 5 great grandchildren: Caprice, Poppi, River & Sage Praska and Gi Gi Boyle. She loved being a part of all of our lives.
Joyce had a variety of work experiences over the course of her life, but she was proudest of being part of the First Care Health Center Family because her co-workers made her feel valuable, needed and important. Looking back, everywhere she worked, she helped people in our community whether at the Life Skills and Transition Center, Park River Good Samaritan Center, First Care Health Center or even as owner/operator of the Club Bar in Park River, ND.
Joyce had a huge presence and family was so important to her. There were many things that brought her happiness, but being surrounded by good times and laughter from the people who meant the most to her was what really lit up her world. For this reason, she loved all family get-togethers and the holidays, especially Christmas and the Fourth of July. As Joyce's family grew, so did her activity list. She loved attending all events from birthday parties, to dance recitals, to sports events, family graduations and weddings. She was and will forever be the glue to our family, our family matriarch, our brave, courageous hero.
Joyce will be welcomed in heaven by several family members, including her parents; sisters Joanne (Adrian) Denault, Marilyn (Woody) Sculthorp; brothers Wilber Stenerson, Alan Stenerson, Willard (Barbara) Stenerson, Jimmy Loughead, and her best friend Nancy Peterson.
Memorial Services will be Monday, July 5, 2021 at 2:30 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Inurnment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery, Park River.