Joyce Ellefson, age 82 of Bottineau, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 25, 2020 at a Bottineau hospital.  A graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 3 at 2:00 pm at the North Viking Cemetery in Maddock, ND.  Visitation will be Saturday from 10:00 am until noon at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.

She was born November 19,1937 at Maddock Memorial Hospital in Maddock, ND to Ingvald and Alma (Nelson) Ellefson. She spent her grade school years in Maddock. At the age of 13, she left home to begin her high school years in Minot at Dakota Lutheran High School, which was an accredited Christian school. She enjoyed learning about the Bible along with the regular high school curriculum. In May 1955, Joyce graduated from Dakota Lutheran High School. Joyce worked at the Grand Forks County Hospital in Larimore, ND. For seven years she worked at the Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls, MN. The next fourteen years she spent in Minneapolis, MN working at Glen Lake State Sanitarium. In 1973, she returned to ND to care for her mother who had several severe heart attacks and developed congestive heart failure. After her mother passed away, she stayed in ND and lived on the home place in Maddock. She then began employment at Good Samaritan Hospital in Rugby, ND as a Nurse Aide. In 1980, she took a course in licensed practical nurses training offered at Good Samaritan Hospital through Wapheton State School of Science and she graduated in 1980 as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She continued to work as an LPN for Good Samaritan Hospital for the next eight years, making her total employment fourteen years there. Joyce's favorite part of her employment was rocking and caring for the newborn babies. In 1989, Joyce had to quit employment due to bilateral knee replacements and numerous hip fractures and arthritis related problems. She missed her work atmosphere, friendships, and companionships of her fellow employees.

In 2011, Joyce became a resident at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Bottineau. She resided there until the time of her death. Joyce lived her life to the fullest each day. She loved to spend time with her sisters, Joan and Linda. The three sisters were known as the "Golden Girls". They shared many special memories together.

Joyce is survived by her sister, Joan Waagen of Bottineau; niece Sandra Waagen of Bottineau, nephew Dave (Teri) Waagen of Huron, SD, niece Darcie Ehnert of Devils Lake, nephew Steve (Barb) Waagen of Bottineau, niece Lori (Lynn) Nord of Minot, nephew Chad (Alisha) Ehnert of Devils Lake, nephew Brock (Tara) Ehnert of Stillwater, MN; great nieces and great nephews Dustin Monson, Nancy (Cayce) Stute, Patrick Monson, Ashley Waagen (Cody Songer), Joshua Waagen, Morgan Ehnert, Tyler Nord, Isabell Danell, Breydin Ehnert, Becca Nord and Atticus Ehnert; great great nephew Adam Stute; great great nieces Hannah Stute, Rylie Stute, and Tatum Songer and brother in law Curt Ehnert of Devils Lake. She will be deeply missed by all her family, friends and all who knew her.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister, Linda Ehnert, great nephew, Wade Waagen and brother in law, Gordon Waagen.

Arrangements were with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau. Friends may sign the online register book at www.nerofuneralhome.net