Joyce Johnson, 70, died Monday March 19, 2012 at her residence in Thief River Falls, surrounded by her loving family. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, March 24, 2012 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Father Rick Lambert presiding. Burial will follow at St. Bernard's Cemetery in Thief River Falls. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Friday, March 23, 2012 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held from Noon until 1:00 PM on Saturday at the church. Joyce Elizabeth Whalen was born on July 6, 1941 in Thief River Falls, MN the daughter of George and Esther (Bluemke) Whalen. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. She attended school in Oklee, MN and graduated high school in 1959. Following graduation she moved to Minneapolis, MN and attended school for a short time. In June of 1961, Joyce married Alan Gehrls and to this union four children were born, Joni, Lee, Carol and Paul. They made their home in Thief River Falls and Joyce worked several jobs including, Arctic Cat, Union State Bank, VFW, Northern State Bank, Land-O-Lakes, and Northern Pride. She retired for health reasons in 1998. On September 25, 1970, Joyce married Jerry Johnson in Sisseton, SD and they returned to make their home in Thief River Falls. Together they made a relationship which was filled with many great memories. Joyce was a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church where she was active with the guild in Thief River Falls, MN. She enjoyed cross-word puzzles, drinking coffee, visiting with family and friends, watching birds, working with flowers, watching soap operas, playing games, playing bingo, hand held video games, cooking, baking, reading cooking magazines, studying recipes, and in her later years started cooking really spicy food. Joyce especially loved spending time with her grandchildren or any children. She also loved dogs. Joyce had a wonderful, warped sense of humor; she was always good for a laugh. Survivors include loving husband of 41 years, Jerry Johnson of Thief River Falls; four children, Joni (Terry) Brandon of Thief River Falls, Lee Gehrls of Callaway, MN, Carol (Bill) Sanner, Paul (Barb) Gehrls all of Thief River Falls; grandchildren, Kyle (Hannah) Dobias, Alicia Dobias, Breanna (fiancé, Kolt) Sanner, Brandon Gehrls, Troy Brandon, Jenny Brandon, Chris Brandon, Chassity (Danny) Pemberton; 3 great grandchildren; mother, Esther Whalen of Oklee, MN; brothers and sisters, Mike Whalen of Thief River Falls, Angie (Dean) Radniecki of Hoyt Lakes, MN, Tim (Linda) Whalen and Greg (Deb) Whalen all of Oklee, MN; brother-in-law, Duane (Ann) Carriere of Seattle, WA; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her father, George; sister, Sharon Carriere; sister-in-law, Sandy Whalen; nephews, Tommy Whalen and Terry Berggren.