Joyce Marcella Goepfert, of Cokato, went to be with Jesus on May 3, 2023 at the age of 99 years, 10 months and 1 day. She was born in Regal, MN. July 2, 1923 to Sidney L. Roberts and Edith A. Roberts. She attended school in Regal, Belgrade, and Arlington. She married Stanley Goepfert at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake on September 30, 1949. Their union was blessed with the birth of 3 sons, Richard, Thomas, and James.
Stanley and Joyce farmed NW of Howard Lake at the family dairy farm until Stanley passed away in 1978, at the age of 55 years and 3 days. Joyce also worked outside of the home and farm for many years. Mainly at the Coast to Coast in Cokato, and later at the Lake Bowl in Howard Lake.
Joyce enjoyed puzzles and reading, but the thing she enjoyed most was her family. She loved having the family around and looked forward to visits with the grandkids. She especially enjoyed going up north to the lake and fishing with the family. Road trips were her favorite way to travel. She had her last big road trip at the age of 94 to Colorado. Duluth and Itasca were also favorite vacation spots.
On July 1, 2022, she moved to the Howard Lake Care Center, residing there until her passing. She was preceded in death by her parents, and by her mother and father-in-law, Louise and Emil Goepfert. Also preceding her in death are her brother, Pat Roberts, brother-in-law, Arvid, Goepfert, husband, Stanley, son, James Goepfert, grandson, Eric Goepfert, and great grandson Ethan.
She is survived by her sons, Richard (Judy), Thomas (Paulette) Goepfert, and grand-children, Elaine Goepfert (Jason Albrechtson), Jacob Goepfert, Luke Goepfert, Jennifer Goepfert (Travis Pedersen), Christine Goepfert, Lorelei (Tim) Sullivan, Odilia (Alex) Lindstrom, and Colleen Goepfert, step grandchildren, Dawn (Ed) Johnson and Holly (Robert) Helms,17 great-grandkids and 3 great great-grandkids, and numerous nieces and nephews, family and friends. Many people loved her and called her Grandma. She loved all her family very much and was extremely proud of them all. She changed many lives for the better with her love and support. She will be deeply missed.
Services will be at 3:00 PM on Friday, May 19, 2023 with visitation beginning at 1 PM at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato (280 3rd St. SE) Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, MN 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com