Joyce Richardson

Joyce Richardson, age 81, of Prior Lake, MN, passed away on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at St. Francis Regional Medical Center.

Joyce was born November 22, 1944, in Havre, Montana. Her Parents were Paul and Dorothy (Swanson) Norden. Joyce grew up in a cabin and attended a country school in Warrick, Montana, till she was in the seventh grade. Joyce's family then moved to a small house in Big Sandy, where she attended school and graduated in 1962.

After graduation, Joyce moved to Havre, Montana, got a job at the Safeway Bakery and met her Husband Duane. They married on June 28,1963. Joyce then worked several part-time jobs before finding a full-time job with The Music Center in downtown Havre. In addition to waiting on customers, she had the job of ordering the hit records for the store, pretty wild in the 60's. Joyce stayed there until 1966 when Duane got home from Viet Nam. They moved to Bremerton, Washington for 2 years and then to Spokane, Washington. Joyce found a job at MONY a life insurance company, where she worked as an Administrative Assistant for 30 years. Joyce was so good at that job she was named Employee of the Month one year and they flew back to Rochester, New York for a big formal party.

But the best part of the Spokane move for Joyce came on March 3, 1971, when Michelle was born, and she could start being a MOM! During the growing years, Michelle and Joyce became not only Mother Daughter but best friends. Michelle also came through for Joyce next when she gave birth to Jacob on November 9, 2010, a Grandson! Joyce loved her family and felt that was her proudest achievement. Joyce also spent many hours finding special cards for all of her relatives and close friends. It was very important to find the right one for those she loved so much.

Joyce fought many health issues during her life, but it never got her down; she would always bounce back. This last year was a tough one with about 7 serious episodes, and the last one was too much for her frail little body! Joyce is now in the arms of our Lord and Savior where she will have eternal life.

Joyce is survived by her husband Duane; daughter and son in law, Michelle and Wade Rabenhorst; grandson, Jacob Rabenhorst; sister and brother-in-law, Darlene and Dennis Shanahan; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Gary and Wanda Richardson, Tary and Kathy Richardson; and sister-in-law, Leann Reames. She is preceded in death by her parents and her sister and brother in law Pauline and Earl Weaver.

Since we did not have a lot of family close by, Joyce wished that we would not have a formal funeral. Instead according to her wishes, Joyce was cremated and will be with Duane until his death and both of their urns will be buried with a military funeral at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.