Joy Ann Knutson, 64, of Newfolden, MN passed away on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 following a 2 1/2year  courageous battle with cancer at Sanford Hospital of Fargo, ND with her loving family at her side.

Joy's funeral will be live streamed on the Newfolden Evangelical Free Church website or by clicking on this link https://youtu.be/XEdIlWcXeEc . The prayer service and funeral will also be posted to this website following the funeral.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at Evangelical Free Church in Newfolden, MN. The service to celebrate Joy's life will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at the Evangelical Free Church in Newfolden, MN with Pastor Gary Barrett and Pastor Tim Lundeen officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Newfolden, MN.

Joy Ann Knutson was born August 5, 1957 in Thief River Falls, MN the daughter of Floyd and Adeline (Skyberg) Nelson. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Newfolden, MN.  She attended school in Newfolden, MN graduating with the class of 1975.

On August 10, 1974, Joy was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Randy Knutson at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Newfolden, MN. To this union three sons were born, Travas, Tony and Tyler. The family lived in Viking, MN where they had a small hobby farm for many years. The couple has lived in Newfolden for the past 16 years.

Joy worked for various places throughout her career: In high school, she worked for the City of Newfolden. Over the years she worked at Lavonne's Cafe, Arctic Cat, Gary's Bakery, Digi Key, Farm Credit Services, Crystal Sugar during beet harvest, United States Postal Service, a clerk at UPS, provided daycare, and had her own business of selling Gold Canyon Candles. Most recently she has worked as substitute para and secretary for  MCC and would have retired from the United States Census in January 2022.

Joy's faith in God and love for her family gave her strength, not only to fight her own battle with cancer, but to be a caregiver for her husband Randy for many years. She was an example for everyone not to give up and to enjoy what you were given in life. She was loving, giving, and caring. Joy's kindness touched so many and she loved being with her friends and family. She was proud of her boys, daughter-in-law and grandkids, who were her greatest loves. Her grandkids lit up her world and even when she was in pain they always made her smile.

Joy enjoyed gardening, bike riding, walking, visiting with friends, and attending as many of her grandchildren's events as she could.  She also enjoyed cooking and baking, especially making Christmas goodies with her sister. She loved to grow in her faith and enjoyed fellowship through 3 bible studies, as well as being part of WELCA, Christian women and as a Sunday school teacher.  Joy took such good care of her home and her appearance. Her beautiful flower beds and home decorating were admired by many. She loved to shop and made sure she and her grandchildren were always well dressed!

Survivors include her three sons, Travas of Moorhead, MN, Tony of Viking, MN and Tyler (Rhandi) of Devils Lake, ND; grandchildren, Rylan, Reston, June, Henry, Porter & Mable; siblings, James (Lana) Nelson of Thief River Falls, John (Susan) Nelson of Newfolden and Randy (Lorrie) Nelson of Newfolden; her sister, Gloria (Marc) Osowski of Bemidji, MN and sister-in-law Mackie Cadlo of Moorcroft, WY; brother and sister-in-laws;  Robin (Pam) of Zerkel, MN, Rhonda (Rick) Phillips of Casper, WY, Rochelle Smeby of Grygla, MN, Rodney (Patty) of Mountain, ND, Rosalyn Knutson of Casper, WY, Ramona Johnson of St. Paul, MN, Rebecca Knutson of Thief River Falls, MN and Ryan (Holly) of Viking, MN;  and many other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband Randy in 2019, her parents in 2020; her father & mother-in-law Neil and Flossy Knutson: grandchildren, Kael & Mason Knutson; brother, LeRoy Nelson; sister in infancy Darlene Nelson; sister-in-law, Candy Knutson; and brother in-laws, Roger Knutson and Lowell Smeby, nephews Avante Knutson, Adrian Knutson, Justin Anderson, and niece Tabitha Nelson.

Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com