Joyce Nelson

Joyce Alice (Mickelson) Nelson of Rochester, Minnesota passed away on June 7, 2024 after a long journey with Alzheimer's disease.

Joyce was born on April 17, 1938 in Braham, Minnesota to Clarence (C.P.) and Pauline Mickelson. Her family soon moved to Chatfield, Minnesota where her father was the superintendent of schools. When she was in the fourth grade Joyce and her family moved to Canby, Minnesota where she graduated from high school. Joyce attended Macalester College where she played drums in the band, sang in the select choir, played the piano, and graduated with a degree in elementary education.

Joyce met Doug Nelson just before Christmas her senior year at Macalester. Doug and Joyce were married 18 months later. Joyce taught fourth grade for two years while Doug attended dental school, leaving teaching after giving birth to their daughter, Debbie, in 1962. After Doug graduated from dental school, the family moved to Amarillo, Texas where Doug was a dentist in the Air Force. While living in Texas, Joyce and Doug welcomed their second child, Scott. Several years later, Joyce and Doug moved to Rochester, Minnesota where she and Doug had their third child, Michael. Joyce devoted herself to raising the couple's three children.

Joyce was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church where she sang in the choir and played the piano for the children's choir for more than thirty years. She served as an elder and chaired a number of church committees.

Joyce enjoyed puzzles and board games, was an avid reader, loved mysteries, classical music, and gardening, especially flowers. She was a sports fan, who played on several traveling tennis teams and enjoyed watching the Twins and the Vikings. Joyce loved spending time at the family's cabin on North Long Lake near Brainerd, MN.

Joyce was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She was preceded in death by her parents C.P. and Pauline Mickelson, her brother Charles, her daughter-in-law Aubrey Nelson and sister-in-law Kay Lindsey. She is survived by her husband Doug, her children Debbie (and Randall) Petersen, Scott (and Melissa) Nelson, Michael (and Leslie) Nelson, her sister Karen (and Stan) Caine, her brother Peter Mickelson, her sister-in-law Joan Mickelson, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service for Joyce will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, June 22, 2024 at First Presbyterian Church 512 3rd St. SW, Rochester, MN with a time of visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment to follow at First Presbyterian Church Columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Rochester, the Mayo Clinic, or to a charity of your choice.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Nelson family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com