Joyce Ann Olson was born July 6, 1934, at the Deaconess Hospital in Grafton, ND. She was the youngest daughter of Edwin and Lily (Travers) Fedje. Joyce was raised on a farm in rural Hoople with her two sisters and a brother. Her parents passed away at a young age, before Joyce’s graduation from Hoople High School in 1952. She met LaVoy Olson at the age of 15 and they were united in marriage on November 1, 1953, at First Lutheran Church of Hoople. Her parents’ friends played a large role in Joyce’s young life into adulthood.
Joyce attended post-secondary school at Dakota Business College. When she was first married, she worked at Walsh County Bank and Venberg-Fedje Hardware. Later, she did books for Olson Oil; however, her most cherished role was raising her family and being a homemaker. Joyce valued her friendships and enjoyed socializing and hosting friends, whether at Twiggies (“we meet to eat”), birthday club, church, or community events. Joyce was such a stylish lady, always fashion-forward in her appearance and home. She deeply loved her family and the Hoople community. She and LaVoy were avid fans of Hoople School sports throughout their boys’ school years and long after. She truly treasured her friendships and her community.
Joyce and LaVoy enjoyed many summers at the lake, spending time with other Hoople families and friends, as well as making new friends. They also enjoyed several winters in Arizona. Joyce was a wonderful grandma to her seven grandchildren and many great-grandchildren and will be remembered for her big heart, incredible wit, and zest for life.
She is survived by her children: Doug (Alyson) Olson, Hoople, ND; Mark (Jill) Olson, Grafton, ND; daughter-in-law, Cindy Johnson, Hoople, ND; grandchildren: Laura (Brett) Brudvik, Jeff (Nicole) Olson, Jayme (Brady) Trenbeath, Bryan (Hali) Olson, Livia, Reese, and Elias Olson; 12 great- grandchildren, brother-in-law, Joel (Peggy) Olson and sister-in-law, Nadine Olson.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, LaVoy Olson; son, Gene Olson; grandson, Kurt Olson; brother, Lyle Fedje; sisters, Geraldine Grommesh and Earlyce Pladson, and several in-laws.
Funeral services will be Friday, October 6, 2023 at 1;00 PM at the Bethel Free Lutheran Church of Grafton. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the Hoople City Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the Hoople Community Center.