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Joyce Elizabeth Smith Obituary

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Joyce Elizabeth Smith

Wasilla, AK

June 1, 1943 - April 16, 2021

Joyce Elizabeth Smith Obituary

Joyce Elizabeth Hedlund was born on June 1, 1943 in the Warren Hospital, Warren MN the 2nd of 5 children born to Carl John Ferdinand and Lola Genevieve (Horgen) Hedlund. She was baptized in the McCrea Lutheran Church located on land donated by her Grandpa Horgen, with Aunt Alice and Uncle Arnold Rokke as her sponsors.   She was confirmed at the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Warren.  She was later baptized at the Independent Baptist Church of Anchorage where she was a member.  Her scripture verse is:  John 15:17  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Joyce graduated from the Warren MN High School in the spring of 1961. She briefly attended Moorhead State University in Moorhead MN until Rheumatic fever cut short her studies. After spending months recuperating, she was employed at Reinhart Bros in Fargo.  While working at Reinharts Joyce met Kenneth Smith. Joyce and Kenneth Smith were wed on 03 June 1967.  Their vows lasted 54 years.  They lived in Fargo, ND for a number of years before moving to Alaska in the late 70’s.  Joyce worked as a certified screener at the Anchorage International Airport and Ken worked as a L.E.O. for the F.A.A. and Alaska Transportation also at the Anchorage International Airport. Joyce was a gifted seamstress along with beautiful embroidery and counted cross stitch pieces. She won many Grand Champion Ribbons for her counted cross stitch pieces at the Alaska State Fair. Joyce blessed family and friends with her gifts of beautiful cross stitch, sewing and ceramics.  She was always thinking of others.  She enjoyed growing African Violets (indoors) and flowers outdoors all over the yard..  She had a special artistic thouch!  After moving to the Mat-Valley they operated a satellite store in Big Lake till they retired.They enjoyed placer mining together for over 25 years and had a mining clime North of Talkeetna for 21 years. Joyce is preceded by her Grandparents, her parents and her Godparents. She is survived by: her husband Kenneth Smith, her sister Grace Hedlund of Detroit Lakes MN,brother Jon (Linda) Hedlund of Rio Rancho NM, sister Mary (Rod Peterson)Hedlund of Thief River Falls MN, sister Sara Hedlund of Warren MN. Goddaughter and niece Stephanie (Dan) Baker, special niece Erika (Jadon Skjerven) Hedlund. Uncle Roger and Aunt June Hedlund of California. Plus numerous nieces, nephews and cousins that she held dear to her heart.

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