Joy Johnsrud, 1926-2018

Published 1:00 am Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Memorial services for Joy D. Johnsrud of Albert Lea will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. John Holt will officiate. Interment will be at a later date in Lakewood Cemetery in Albert Lea. Friends may visit with family one hour before services at the church. Bonnerup Funeral Service is assisting the family.

Joy Johnsrud

Joy died Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018, at St. John’s Lutheran Community in Albert Lea. She had recently celebrated her 92nd birthday.

She was born in Big Stone County, the daughter of Walter and Anna (Borth) Tate. The family moved to the Mankato area when she was a young girl, and Joy graduated from Mankato High School with the class of 1944. Following graduation, she went to work in Washington, D.C., for a short time and then returned to Mankato, where she worked in the banking industry. She soon met J.L. “Jay” Johnsrud and they married on Nov. 27, 1955, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Mankato. Following their marriage, Jay and Joy built a home and settled in Albert Lea near Jay’s parents.

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Throughout her life Joy took much pride in taking care of her family, baking, cooking, entertaining and making their house a home. Joy always made holidays special events, and she so enjoyed hosting her siblings, nieces, nephews and extended family. Joy also found enjoyment in camping, cross stitching and playing cards.

She had served as chairwoman for the American Cancer Society for many years and was instrumental in forming Reach to Recovery, which supported others with cancer. Joy was a faithful member of Al-Anon and so appreciated the fellowship and support it provided for their family through the years.

Joy was a member of First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea.

Joy is survived by her husband, J.L. “Jay” Johnsrud; three children, Pamela (Dale ) Butler of Las Vegas, Randal (Connie) Johnsrud of Rochester and Becky (Matt) Aarback of Northwood; grandchildren Ashley Ladlie of Minneapolis, Jenna (Bradey) Bearden and their children Brielle and Brock of Rochester, Jocelyn (Houston) Webb and daughter, Jaylyn, of Byron, Johanna Johnsrud of Inver Grove Heights, Krysta Swanson of Lauderdale and Kaylen Swanson of Omaha, Nebraska; brothers Don (Eileen) Tate of White Bear Lake and Dale (June) Tate of Dodgeville, Wisconsin; nieces, nephews and several special relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her granddaughter, April Joy Ladlie; brother, Harland Tate; sister, Elois Kassulke; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Joy was quick-witted, engaging and giving. She will be greatly missed.