Born on November 23, 1949, in Blue Earth, Minnesota, to Gordon and Leona (Ehrich) Harpestad, Joyce brought warmth, kindness, and joy to everyone fortunate enough to know her. At the age of four, she and her family moved to Wells, Minnesota, where she spent her formative years. A graduate of Wells-Easton High School in 1967, Joyce's joyful spirit and compassion defined her journey through life.

On October 16, 1971, she married her soulmate, Lee Skaar, in Wells. Their enduring partnership became the cornerstone of a family rooted in love and devotion. Together, they began their life in Hayward, Minnesota before moving to Marshalltown, Iowa, where they raised their two children, Gjert and Kristin.

Throughout her career, Joyce exemplified care and dedication, most notably working at Fisher Controls in the billing department, where her meticulous nature shone. Remarkably, she worked until mere hours before the birth of her son, Gjert. She then made the decision to stay home for a number of years to raise her children. Later, her caring spirit led her to work as a paraeducator at Marshalltown High School, where she enriched the lives of countless students.

In 2011, Joyce and Lee retired to Dundas, Minnesota, where they embraced their golden years with grace and vitality. An avid supporter of Minnesota sports teams, she meticulously tracked their schedules and players. Joyce's active involvement at Fifty North in Northfield and her weekly coffee club with Lee and close friends at Martha's in Dundas highlighted her commitment to building community and spreading joy.

Joyce found delight in life's simple pleasures. Even routine errands, like grocery shopping, became special moments when shared with Lee. Her unwavering love for her children and grandchildren filled their lives with affection and joy. Joyce's desire to bake, usually a seasonally appropriate tray of cookies, was an expression of her love.

Joyce and Lee loved to travel whether it was family road trips with their children, or later in life visiting nearly every state and many Canadian provinces. Other favorite vacations included a two-week RV trip around Alaska, a Scandinavian tour visiting the Skaar ancestral farm, and a recent trip to the Bay of Fundy to experience the highest tides in the world.

Her life was a testament to love, kindness, and unwavering dedication to family and friends. As we bid farewell to Joyce, we hold close the countless memories of her laughter, her warm hugs, and the many ways she cared for her loved ones. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.

Joyce is survived by her beloved husband of 53 years, Lee; her children, Gjert (Meg) Skaar of St. Paul and Kristin (Sam Newbauer) Skaar Newbauer of Minneapolis; her grandchildren, Luka Gleeson, Eleanor Skaar, Nolan Skaar, Kieran Gleeson, and Sigvald Newbauer; and her siblings, Judy Harpestad of Wells and Denny (Laura) Harpestad of Minnetonka. She was preceded in death by her parents, Gordon and Leona Harpestad.

A celebration of Joyce's life will take place at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Northfield, Minnesota. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, with a reception to follow. Interment will take place at a later date at the Hayward Cemetery.

In honor of Joyce's incredible legacy, may we each strive to carry forward her values of love, generosity, and unwavering kindness.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Bethel Lutheran Church's new A/V fund or Rice County Habitat for Humanity.

www.northfieldfuneral.com