Joyce Helgeson, age 81 of Bottineau passed away on Friday, October 1, 2021 at a Bottineau hospital.  Her memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 7, 2021 at 11:00 am at the Grace Lutheran Brethren Church in Bottineau.

Joyce Elaine Helgeson, a daughter of William Jay and Eva (Van Newkirk) Smith, was born On November 6, 1939 at Perry, IA.  She moved with her family to Bottineau and graduated from Bottineau High School.  She worked at Camp Metigoshe.  On September 15, 1960 she married Selmer Helgeson at the Salem Lutheran Church north of Bottineau. They made their home in Bottineau.  Joyce then worked a variety of jobs in Bottineau including: doing daycare,  working at Sonny's Country Lanes, Lloyd's Fairway, Highway Grocery and the Family Bakery.  She started drawing as a child and created beautiful chalk drawings on the school chalk boards. She started painting in the late 1970's on canvas and then she went to paint decorative wood pieces and saw blades.  She sold her art at craft shows and also at the Front Porch in Bottineau. Joyce also enjoyed gardening, crocheting, bird watching and reading. Selmer passed away on June 6, 2009.

Joyce was a member of The Grace Lutheran Brethren Church in Bottineau.  She also belonged the Prairie Arts Club.

She is survived by her daughter, Penny (Don) Henderson of West Fargo; son Kevin (Sandi) Helgeson of Turtle Lake, ND; 7 grandchildren, Justin (Laura) Helgeson, Ashley (Joshua) Janssen, Kayla (Justin) Brown, Chelsea (Brandon) Wendt, Alyssa (Erik) Bourquin, Krysta (Justin) Gawryluk and Heather Ihla (Colton Burkett); 13 great grandchildren; sisters, June Smith and Janice Fuchs and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Shirley and her husband Mike Ihla; great grandson Josiah Wendt and siblings, Elden, Erma, Jerry, Joann and Jennie.

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