Joyce Virginia Nelson

Joyce Nelson, 83, of Barrett, Minnesota, passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2026, under the care of Vivie Hospice.

Joyce Virginia Nelson was born on March 7, 1942, in Appleton, Minnesota, to Sig and Marion (Anderson) Dahl. She was a graduate of Barrett High School. After high school, she went on to further her education earning a BA degree at Southwest State in Marshall, Minnesota, then later obtained her Master’s Degree in Special Education.

On July 8, 1960, Joyce married Clair Nelson. The couple was blessed with 2 sons, Todd McLane and Lee Anthony. They made their home in Balaton, Minnesota, where both Joyce and Clair had teaching jobs. From 1973-1976, Joyce and Clair relocated their family to West Berlin, Germany, where they taught for the Department of Defense. After coming back to the United States, the couple made their home in Barrett, Minnesota, where Joyce started working at the Grant County DAC. After obtaining her Master’s Degree, Joyce began working at the Midwest Special Ed. Cooperative in Morris, Minnesota.

Joyce was known as a very giving and patient person. She enjoyed music, but most of all listening to her sons sing. She was active in the Grant County DFL and firmly believed that everyone deserved support and care from those who were able to give more. Joyce spent a lot of time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as going on trips to the Wisconsin Dells to be with her sister & family. Family was important to Joyce, and she was essentially the “core” of it all. There wasn’t any family news that didn’t go through her first.

Joyce made everyone aware about her dislike of outdoor activities due to snakes. However, she enjoyed every moment spent in her pool that was safely surrounded by a deck. Many family memories were made there as well as at the cabin ‘Up North’.

Joyce is survived by her sons, Todd (Danielle) Nelson and Lee (Tanja) Nelson; grandchildren, Allison Lea, Cassandra Nelson, Deidra (Zachary) Miller, Maggie Baldwin, Kelsey Nelson, Mollie (Ryan) Brink, Griffin (Kayli) Nelson, and Annika Nelson; 12 great-grandchildren; and her brother Dean (Ann) Dahl.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Sig and Marion; stepfather, Roy Libke; husband, Clair; siblings, Vernon Dahl, Jim Dahl, and Shirley Kongslie.

A Celebration of Joyce's Life is being planned for June. Please check our website for updates.