Joyce
Joyce Louise Gilbert
Joyce Louise Gilbert
, 84, passed away October 12, 2021, at Archstone Care Center in Chandler, AZ.
Joyce was born April 22, 1937, to Rolland and Lydia (Karvonen) Hess. She spent her childhood years growing up on the family farm near Wheaton, MN with her brother and three sisters. Joyce was united in marriage to Daniel Rusch on August 11, 1953. Together they were blessed with five children. Joyce worked at the local supermarket (the Red Owl) and enjoyed being an Avon representative for several years. In 1969 the Rusch family moved to Brandon, MN, where Dan started a successful construction business. Joyce soon developed friendships in this small community and began working at the local Brandon supermarket. When the family purchased a small restaurant in the 1970’s, she managed the operation of that business as well.
Following a divorce, Joyce relocated to California. She was united in marriage to Fred Gilbert on September 8, 1984. Together she and Fred relocated and settled in Arizona where they enjoyed several business opportunities, spending their days together and traveling across the country for both work and family visits.
Joyce was an active member of the women’s groups at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Wheaton, Grace Lutheran Church of Brandon, and Desert Cross Lutheran Church of Tempe, AZ. She enjoyed spending time with family, socializing with friends, sewing, crafting, and reading. She also enjoyed working on jigsaw puzzles for hours. For those who knew Joyce, you will likely recall the ease of her presence and her infectious giggle. She loved to speak about Fred and her family and was very proud of each and every one of them.
Joyce is survived by her husband, Fred Gilbert, and five children: DaNell (Karen) Rusch of Chandler, AZ, Devin (Izzy) Rusch of Brandon, MN, Jerolyn (Dean) Johnson of Battle Lake, MN, Gina Gentry of La Crosse, WI and Natalie (David) Anderson of Evansville, MN; two sisters: Sharon (Roger) Jacobsen and Sharlot (John) Moe; 12 grandchildren: Benjamin (Amber) Rusch, Levi Johnson, Sarah Rusch, Mahrie Ohren, Lydia (Brandon) Bengtson, Daniel (Amber) Gentry, Dannon Rusch, Dallas Anderson, Andrew Gentry, Christopher (Anna Kotten) Anderson, Kaulin (Rebecca) Rusch, and Carlin Johnson; 22 great-grandchildren: DaNero, Sebastian, Aubree, Tatum, Jayce, Devin, Alexandrea, Stevie, Carlton, Lathum, Veyda, Hazel, Piper, Maverick, Landon, Eisley, McCoy, Porter, Sawyer, Thatcher, Bennett, Maguire and Collins; and many nieces and nephews.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, brother Orval Hess, sister Marlys (Hess) Birkholz, and brother-in-law Cliff Birkholz.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 6
th
at Desert Cross Lutheran Church, Tempe AZ.
, 84, passed away October 12, 2021, at Archstone Care Center in Chandler, AZ.
Joyce was born April 22, 1937, to Rolland and Lydia (Karvonen) Hess. She spent her childhood years growing up on the family farm near Wheaton, MN with her brother and three sisters. Joyce was united in marriage to Daniel Rusch on August 11, 1953. Together they were blessed with five children. Joyce worked at the local supermarket (the Red Owl) and enjoyed being an Avon representative for several years. In 1969 the Rusch family moved to Brandon, MN, where Dan started a successful construction business. Joyce soon developed friendships in this small community and began working at the local Brandon supermarket. When the family purchased a small restaurant in the 1970’s, she managed the operation of that business as well.
Following a divorce, Joyce relocated to California. She was united in marriage to Fred Gilbert on September 8, 1984. Together she and Fred relocated and settled in Arizona where they enjoyed several business opportunities, spending their days together and traveling across the country for both work and family visits.
Joyce was an active member of the women’s groups at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Wheaton, Grace Lutheran Church of Brandon, and Desert Cross Lutheran Church of Tempe, AZ. She enjoyed spending time with family, socializing with friends, sewing, crafting, and reading. She also enjoyed working on jigsaw puzzles for hours. For those who knew Joyce, you will likely recall the ease of her presence and her infectious giggle. She loved to speak about Fred and her family and was very proud of each and every one of them.
Joyce is survived by her husband, Fred Gilbert, and five children: DaNell (Karen) Rusch of Chandler, AZ, Devin (Izzy) Rusch of Brandon, MN, Jerolyn (Dean) Johnson of Battle Lake, MN, Gina Gentry of La Crosse, WI and Natalie (David) Anderson of Evansville, MN; two sisters: Sharon (Roger) Jacobsen and Sharlot (John) Moe; 12 grandchildren: Benjamin (Amber) Rusch, Levi Johnson, Sarah Rusch, Mahrie Ohren, Lydia (Brandon) Bengtson, Daniel (Amber) Gentry, Dannon Rusch, Dallas Anderson, Andrew Gentry, Christopher (Anna Kotten) Anderson, Kaulin (Rebecca) Rusch, and Carlin Johnson; 22 great-grandchildren: DaNero, Sebastian, Aubree, Tatum, Jayce, Devin, Alexandrea, Stevie, Carlton, Lathum, Veyda, Hazel, Piper, Maverick, Landon, Eisley, McCoy, Porter, Sawyer, Thatcher, Bennett, Maguire and Collins; and many nieces and nephews.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, brother Orval Hess, sister Marlys (Hess) Birkholz, and brother-in-law Cliff Birkholz.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 6
th
at Desert Cross Lutheran Church, Tempe AZ.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joyce Louise Gilbert, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 16
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors