Joyce Lovander

Joyce E. Lovander, age 80, of Willmar, died Monday, May 4, at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.

Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 7, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar. Burial will be in the Eagle Lake Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Joyce Elaine Lovander was born November 8, 1928, in Sioux Valley, Minnesota, to Charles and Blanche (Elston) Schwarzenbach. She grew up in the Sioux Valley community and graduated from Sioux Valley High School in 1946 as the valedictorian of her class. She attended the University of Minnesota, where she met Donald "Boone" Lovander. Joyce and Donald were married on October 5, 1947, in Sioux Valley and made their home in Willmar. Joyce later attended nursing school. She worked as a licensed practical nurse and cottage director at the Willmar State Hospital for 25 years. In October 2008, Joyce moved to Copperleaf Assisted Living. Joyce was active with AARP and the Willmar Senior Citizens, where she served several years as president. She was also a 4H leader for many years and mentored grade school children. She enjoyed reading, gardening, arranging flowers and painting. She also loved nature and enjoyed bird watching and taking her children on picnics when they were younger. She was a wonderful storyteller and loved to spend time with her grandchildren. Joyce died Monday, May 4, at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar. She attained the age of 80 years, 5 months and 26 days.

She is survived by her children: Ruth (and Richard) Lovander-Foley of Eden Prairie, Douglas (and Susan) Lovander of Willmar, Marilyn Lovander of Gainesville, Florida, and Lois (and Kevin) Fladeboe of Willmar; five grandchildren: Brett (and Wendy) Almquist, Jodi (and Paul) Scott, Cory (and Andi) Fladeboe, Matthew Lovander and Josh (and Jordan) Fladeboe; six great-grandchildren: Calleigh Sullivan (and fiance, John Wilson), Boone Almquist, Sophia Almquist, Jakob Scott, Ashlee Scott and Alivia Fladeboe; two brothers: Jack Schwarzenbach of California and Jay Schwarzenbach of Spirit Lake, Iowa; two brothers-in-law, Kenneth Lovander of Willmar and Ed Goodman, Jr. of Spirit Lake, Iowa; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband: Donald "Boone" Lovander in 1994; a daughter, Carol Lovander; two sisters, Judy Goodman and Jean Wolf; two brothers-in-law, Harold Wolf and Harold Lovander; and two sisters-in-law, Ellen Seitzer and Alpha Lovander.