Joyce Marlene Balsness

Joyce was born July 7, 1937 to Anton and Florence McLevis in Denham, Minnesota. She grew up as the youngest in a large, loving family living in the Moose Lake and Barnum, Minnesota area. Joyce graduated from Barnum High School in 1955 where she excelled at theater and served as Vice-President of her class student council.

Joyce met the love of her life, Floyd Balsness, on a blind date, and they quickly became Inseparable. They were united in marriage on March 10, 1956. Together they raised a large family with seven children. Joyce was an exceptional homemaker with an eye for decorating, and a gift for cooking and baking. Her specialty was her famous baked beans that she prepared for two days in her original bean pots, lovingly tasting and testing until they reached perfection. Joyce was also a gracious hostess who always had the coffee pot on and the table set in the event friends should drop by for a visit. After Floyd’s retirement, much of their time was spent enjoying their forty acres in Cromwell, MN where they worked together to cut, stack and haul wood for the wood stove for the coming winter; mowed lawn; and, most importantly, enjoyed the peace of nature together. Identifying the various native bird calls was a favorite pastime.

Joyce was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Floyd; her parents, Anton and Florence McLevis; her daughter, Laura Anne Balsness; her grandson, Thomas Gargulak; her daughter-in-law, Rebecca Balsness; her brother, Ernie (Edith) McLevis; and her sisters Clara (Edward) Habdas; Lorraine (Delbert) (Palmer) Angell-Carlson; and Elaine (Ray) Lance. Joyce is survived by her children; Kevin Balsness of Texas, Jill (Paul) Ruthenbeck of North Carolina, Joy Balsness of Proctor, MN, Thomas Balsness of Two Harbors, MN, Bridget Balsness of Texas, and Brenda (Tom) Maida of Proctor, MN; her sister Viola (Bob) Campbell of Texas; 16 loving grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild; along with many nieces and nephews.

A private family service will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery in Cromwell, Minnesota. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Inter-Faith Care Center and St Croix Hospice for their compassion and kindness throughout Joyce’s time in their care.