Joyce Waale, 76, passed away on October 19, 2002 at her home in Thief River Falls, MN, after a long battle with cancer. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 23, 2002 " 2:00 PM at the Abundant Life Church, Thief River Falls, with Reverend Wesley Langaas officiating. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4-8 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM, with Reverend Terry Olson officiating at Johnson Green Funeral Home in Thief River Falls and on Wednesday one hour prior to the service in the church.

Joyce Irene Jackson was born on March 24, 1926 in Lockhart, Minnesota the daughter of Bryant Andrew and Helen Esther (Malakowsky) Jackson. She was baptized in the Methodist Church at Beltrami, MN and following her marriage was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. Petri Lutheran Church in Nielsville, MN. She attended Lockhart Elementary School as well as Ada High School, graduating in 1944. While in high school Joyce played girls basketball and following graduation worked briefly in the JC Pennys store in Ada.

On June 25, 1946 Joyce was united in marriage to Ole Gunerius Waale in Lockhart, MN. They made their home and started their family in rural Neilsville, MN. In 1957 they moved to Thief River Falls, MN and lived there ever since. In earlier years there, she worked as a coat checker at the American Legion and VFW in Thief River Falls. Her main joy was to stay home and raise her children.

She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, taught Sunday school at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls and St. Petri Lutheran Church (Neilsville) She loved to embroider, do crossword puzzles, watch TV, collect Avon as well as angel figurines and dolls. She loved reading, traveling, camping, but most of all making a home and spending time with her children, grandchildren and visiting with friends and family.

Joyce is survived by her husband Ole, Thief River Falls, children Patricia JoAnne Nelson of Parkers Prairie, MN; Cynthia Kay Waale of Thief River Falls, MN and Brent Thomas Waale of Thief River Falls, MN. Four grandchildren Kari Sue (Jed) McIntosh, of Goodridge, MN, Melissa Kay (Matt) Vagle of Thief River Falls, MN, Sarah Lynn Monley of Minneapolis, MN and Kyrsten Lyn Waale of Ottawa, KS: three great-grandchildren Alexis Berberich, Dylan McIntosh and Javon Monley. Three brothers Jon Jackson of Yountville, CA; Eugene (Betty) Jackson of Fruito, CO and Sidney (Emily) Jackson of Gary, MN: four sisters Helen (Merle) Docken of Ada, MN; Laurel (Kenneth) Lee of Ada, MN; Marjorie (Harry) King of Oak Ridge, TN and June (William) Wear of Fallon, NV.

She is preceded in death by her parents Bryant and Helen Jackson, Brother James Jackson; son Douglas Keith Waale (August 12, 1989) and granddaughter Heather Jean Nelson.