Joyce M. Farr

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Joyce Farr, age 93, of Colton, S.D. passed away peacefully at Dow Rummel Village on March 6, 2019, surrounded by family and caregivers.

Joyce Marie Severson was born on a farm across the road from St. Jacobs Lutheran Church west of Colton. Her parents, Fred and Alma Severson provided the land for the church in whose cemetery Joyce will be laid to rest.

In 1944 she graduated from Colton High School.  Joyce married Cecil Farr in 1945 when he returned from WWII.  They farmed in the Colton vicinity for most of their lives.  In addition Joyce used her cooking skill as a hot lunch cook at Colton High for many years.

Joyce loved people; learning about their histories, singing with them, and feeding them.  She enjoyed hosting foreign students in their home. Her life of service included ELCW president, Sunday school teacher, Choir member, church deaconess, Bethel Home Board member, Election Judge, County Historical Society, and Sons of Norway Women’s Auxiliary member.

She will be remembered for her beautiful voice, ability to play the piano by ear, and love of music in general.  Throughout her life she sang for over 500 weddings and funerals and often entertained at area nursing homes. The week before her death, as a bedside memorial service was being held across the hall, she was heard to sing “Amazing Grace” in a strong clear voice.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Cecil of 55 years, and 8 siblings.   She is survived by her children; Dean (Pat) of Woodruff, Wis., Lana Wold (Pedar, deceased) of Hilo, Hawaii, and Laura (Gaylon) Anderson of Sioux Falls, adoptive son Kumar (Sangita) Thapa, 8 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be at Minnehaha Funeral Home in Colton, SD on March 17 from 2 to 4 P.M.  A funeral service at First Lutheran Church of Colton on March 18 will be at 1 P.M.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations can be made to “Cure Alzheimer’s Fund”.