Retired
Spouse: Bruce
3 Children
5 Grandchildren
Info update: 05/19/2017

For always thinking of myself as a small town gal, I feel like my life has been quite interesting.
I worked for the Chamber of Commerce with our classmate Patricia Buren. Got my radio license working for KAOH. Worked at the N.W. Bank of Commerce. Had three boys: Jim, John and Martin. Did day care and was a drapery consultant/installer.

Lived in Tenn, Indiana and Iowa... I was a gun dealer and also pretended to be a farmer with raising cows, goats and llamas. Got to London and Paris for my 50th birthday (a present from my husband Bruce).

Came back home to Duluth six years ago to be near family. We have six grandsons, YES.. I have no sisters, no daughters of my own and no grand daughters. My mom use to say "you always were boy crazy".... and I am blessed to still have my mom and dad. The ol' body needed some updating so I now have a fancy stainless steel Aorta Valve and a new hip. Life is Good ! ! !

Joyce A. Johnson, 73, of Saginaw, MN, passed away May 16, 2017 surrounded by her family.

Joyce (Backer) was born Sept. 10, 1943 in Duluth, the daughter of Lester and Lois (Telega) Rustad. She graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1961. In 1964, she was united in marriage to Larry Elwell and together they had 3 sons. Joyce worked several jobs in
the Duluth; including, interior decorating and daycare. On July 7, 1988, she married Bruce Johnson. Together they traveled the country for nearly 20 years attending gun and trade shows. They lived in Clarksville, TN, Scottsburg, IN, and Bloomfield, IA before returning to Minnesota. She enjoyed traveling, reading, watching sports especially the Minnesota Twins, attending her grandchildren’s events, and riding around in her convertible.

Obituary: Joyce is preceded in death by her mother Lois; Fran Backer; husband, Bruce; son, John Elwell; brothers-in-law, Paul Fink & Dean Johnson.

She is survived by her father Lester Rustad; sons, Jim Elwell (Terri), Martin (Nikki) Elwell; step-daughter, Stacey Johnson; brother, Kevin Rustad; grandchildren, Dylan, Jacob, Isaac, Lucas and Hunter; sisters-in-law, Nancy Fink & Geri Johnson, many aunts, uncles,
cousins, nieces and nephews.

Memorial Service: 3 pm Friday, May 26, 2017 at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, 4100 Grand Ave, Duluth. A gathering of family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.