Joyce Marie Bulger of Thief River Falls, MN, age 86 died peacefully on Saturday, August 06, 2016 at Valley Home in Thief River Falls, MN with her loving family at her side.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, August 11, 2016 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Father Rick Lambert presiding.    Burial will be at St. Bernard's Catholic Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls.

Joyce Marie Parent was born September 15, 1929, at Argyle, MN, the daughter of Omer and Arthemise (Bazinet) Parent.  She was baptized and confirmed into the Catholic faith.  Joyce grew up in rural Argyle, MN.  She attended and graduated Argyle High School in 1947.

On January 30, 1954, Joyce was united in marriage to William John Bulger at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Argyle, MN.  This union was blessed with nine children: an infant daughter, Greg, Tim, Lori, Polly, Jenny, Barb, Patricia, and Mary.

Joyce was employed as a clerk at Gambles Store, Argyle, MN from 1947-1949; a bookkeeper at International Decision Systems (IDS), Minneapolis, MN from 1949-1954; a homemaker from 1954-1966; and then a waitress at the American Legion, Thief River Falls from 1966 until her retirement in 1989. After retirement she worked at the Dairy Queen.  Joyce loved to raise her seven children and she worked hard all of her life.  She was a fiercely independent woman who had a very strong faith.  She enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, gardening, reading, listening to the radio, watching classic movies, and going to the casino.  She was a very social person who liked being around family and friends, and she loved watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren play basketball.

Survived by children: Greg Bulger of St. Hilaire, MN, Tim (Lana) Bulger of Thief River Falls, MN, Lori (Dan) Johnson of Thief River Falls, MN, Polly (Bryan) Olson of Frazee, MN, Jenny (Dale) Langevin of Thief River Falls, MN, Barb (Gary) Nelson of Thief River Falls, MN and Mary (Ralph) Matter of Thief River Falls, MN; grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Angella (Mark) Hibbard [Peyton & Paxton] of Andover, MN, Stacy Czapiewski [Cole, Mikayla & Haven] of Blaine, MN, Brad (Erin) Bulger [Blaine & Corinne] of Grand Forks, ND, Nichole (Allen) Holt [Brady, Olivia, Parker] of Red Lake Falls, MN, John Bulger of Thief River Falls, MN, Patrick (Lyndee) Johnson of Moorhead, MN, Thomas (Brittney) Johnson [Isaak & Ty] of East Grand Forks, MN, Cayler (Lyndsey) Olson [Kira & Madison] of Harwood, ND, Beth (Firat) Kezer [William] of Fargo, ND, Michael (Erica) Langevin of Thief River Falls, MN, Ashley (Aaron) Baird of Red Lake Falls, MN, Jacob Langevin of Thief River Falls, MN, Nicholas (Alexis) Nelson [Elijah] of Grand Forks, ND, Casey (Erick) Trontvet [Lydia & Jed] of Thief River Falls, MN, Christopher (Allison) Matter [Alexa & William] of Thief River Falls, MN, Sarah (Eric) Soleim of Raleigh, NC, Samuel Matter of Bemidji, MN and Grace Matter of Thief River Falls, MN; siblings: Gloria Mickelson, Dale (Ralphine) Parent and Donald Parent; and many other relatives and friends.

Preceded in death by husband, William; daughter, Patricia Bulger and an infant daughter; daughter-in-law, Diane Bulger; siblings: Louise Anderson, Darlene Harbert, Audrey Dyer, Roger Parent, Roland Parent, Francis Parent, Diane Bulger, Larry Parent; and her parents and grandparents.