Joyce Nelson

Joyce Nelson, 70, Bismarck passed away June 8, 2016 after a long battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held at the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Bismarck on Friday, June 24, 2016 at 1:00 pm with Pastor Odea Sigh officiating. Interment will be at Glencoe Cemetery following the fellowship. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Joyce (Scheerz) was born January 9, 1946, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her arrival was a precious blessing into the lives of her adoptive parents, Ernest and Ernestine (Ricci) Scheerz. Both of these parents were taken from her far too soon, so from age 11, she spent the remainder of her childhood years in the care of her aunt and uncle, Frank and Lucille Scalise, along with their daughters JoAnn and Margaret (Peggy.) She graduated from St. Pauls’ Mechanical Arts High School in 1964. She was united in marriage to Terrance E. Nelson on July 1, 1967. They resided in the twin cities of Minnesota and surrounding area for ten years, welcoming 4 children during this time. In August 1977, they relocated to Washburn, North Dakota, where they continued to raise their children. Joyce moved to Bismarck in 1995 where she enjoyed the conveniences of life in a bigger city. She became a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Bismarck in October 1995 participating in bible study and became close with members her church family. Joyce enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, traveling and looking at beautiful scenery, especially in the mountains. She loved to be on the go, as long as she could take her time getting ready. She has a collection of postcards from all of her travel – the reason? The pictures were always wonderful quality, she wouldn’t have to get the film developed, and they were pre-labeled eliminating the need to remember where she took each one! Joyce is survived by her three daughters and sons-in-law: Tricia (Terry) Sabin, Underwood, ND, Tracie (David) Day, Moffit, ND, and Terra (Mike) Van Horn, Wendell, MN and her son and daughter-in-law TJ (Liz) Nelson, Bismarck; Eleven grandchildren: Trevor Johnson, Mike Howes, Jr., Alex Johnson, Cody Johnson, Montana Howes, Toria Howes Cain, Tiara Howes, Aiden Nelson, Andrew Nelson, Isaac Van Horn and Addison Nelson; and Seven great-grandchildren: Kylee, Logan, Jaina, Preslei, and Gavin Johnson, Kyla Cain, and Kolie Brejle; sisters Joann Lau, St. Paul and Peggy (Mike) Toronto, St. Paul; two sisters-in-law: Zoey (Kevin) Sexton, Terlingua, TX and Shelley (David) Berry, Bemidji, MN. Joyce found a deep friendship and love again thirteen years ago with her partner and fiancé, Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Uncle Frank and Aunt Lucille Scalise, father and mother-in-law E. Sidney and Charlotte Nelson, brother in law Ronald Lau, sister-in-law Judy Nelson, and niece Angela Toronto.