Joyce Darlene Nord

Joyce Darlene (Ackert) Nord, age 86, has entered into the joy of heaven and the loving arms of our Heavenly Father. After being hospitalized on April 20 with pneumonia and later suffering a massive stroke, Joyce died peacefully in her sleep on April 25, 2017, with her children present. Joyce’s firm belief in God and life everlasting gave her peace and comfort throughout her life, especially during her final days.

Joyce was born June 4, 1930, in Rothsay, MN, to Boyd and Margaret (Martin) Ackert. Along with her parents and two siblings, Joyce grew up on the “sheep ranch” four miles west of Rothsay. She attended country school through eighth grade and then graduated in 1947 from Rothsay High School. Education was always important to Joyce and she often recalled how scared she was moving from the little one-room country schoolhouse to the “huge” high school in town. Joyce remained close to her high school classmates and always enjoyed their reunions.

On September 21, 1957, Joyce married the love of her life, Glen Milford Nord, who passed away on January 25, 2017 – they were together in life and now for eternity. Joyce and Glen were happily married for 59 years, living first in Rothsay and then moving to Fergus Falls in 1966, where they lived for 46 years. In 2011, Joyce and Glen sold their beloved home to Lake Region Hospital and moved to the Twin Cities to live with their daughter when Glen’s Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease began to progress.

Joyce was a consummate homemaker, highly skilled at making the tastiest pies, cakes, cookies, breads, and comfort food. She also worked outside the home, including at Scott’s Dime Store, Medallion Kitchens and City Bakery and Café. After her children were grown, for 25 years Joyce was employed as a seamstress at the Fergus Falls State Hospital – in addition to sewing and repairing clothing for all of the residents, she made and hung nearly every curtain and drapery in the entire state hospital complex, including the historic Kirkbride building. After retiring in 1997, Joyce wanted to keep busy (there was no such thing as “down” time), so she became a cook at the Otter Tail County jail – the law enforcement staff and inmates both were sorry to see her leave four years later.

Joyce was the most kind, caring, and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister. She often reminisced about her favorite memories, which were of spending time with her family. She loved having her five grandchildren visit for weekends where they enjoyed creating art projects (carving pumpkins, rock painting, finger painting, making cement stepping stones, and decorating for Christmas), flying kites and egg hunts at Easter, feeding the ducks and geese at Lake Alice, making popcorn and malts for supper, and swimming and picnicking at Pebble Lake. The entire family loved vacationing together “up north” at Lutsen where they enjoyed wonderful meals, late night bonfires on the rocky shores of Lake Superior, exploring the cliffs of Split Rock lighthouse, and rock climbing at Gooseberry Falls, Tetegouche, and Temperance River state parks. The family also loved hiking and observing the fall colors at Inspiration Peak and Orwell Dam.

Joyce was an active member of First Lutheran Church for over 50 years where she enjoyed serving as Sunday School teacher for three-year-olds, ushering on Sunday mornings, preparing lunches as part of Circles, delivering Meals on Wheels, and giving rides to church for those who needed transportation. When her children were young, Joyce was the creative leader of several troupes of Campfire girls and Bluebirds girls. Joyce loved gardening and had the greenest thumb, growing beautiful irises, gladiolas, peonies, and purple clematis. Joyce loved sewing, including most of her children’s clothing. She was a member of the Auxiliary of Fergus Falls VFW Post 612. For the last seven months, Joyce was an active member of the Augustana Open Circle Adult Day Program in Apple Valley where she loved playing games, exercising, singing, and reminiscing with her new friends.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Glen, her parents, Boyd and Margaret Ackert; and brother, Darrell Ackert.

Joyce touched the life of every person she met! Joyce is survived and lovingly remembered by her three daughters, Veronica (Dean) Mahler of Acworth, GA, Judith Nord of Lakeville, MN, and Kathleen (Thomas) Gehrig of West Fargo, ND; sister, Fae Lewis of Downing, WI; five grandchildren, Michael (Kelly) Mahler of Acworth, GA, Jesse (Jasmine) Gehrig of Fargo, ND, Katie (Kyle) Gehrig Sarbaum of West Fargo, ND, Samantha (Austin) Gehrig Jensen of West Fargo, ND, and Jamison Gehrig of Fargo, ND; three great grandchildren, Connor Mahler, Brady Sarbaum, and Blake Sarbaum; and many nieces and nephews and other relatives.

Condolences may be sent to Joyce’s family at 16358 Elm Creek Lane, Lakeville, MN 55044.
Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church.
Service: 1 p.m. Monday, May 1, 2017 at First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverend Erick Thompson
Burial: First Lutheran North Cemetery in Fergus Falls
Arrangements: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls

Online condolences may be left at www.OlsonFuneralHome.com .