Joyce Romona Wolner

Joyce Romona Wolner, age 96, of Saint James, died on December 15, 2024, at the Good Samaritan Society in Saint James.

A memorial service will be held at Augustana Lutheran Church in Saint James on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at 1:00 pm with visitation one hour prior to the service. The clergy will be Rev. Mandy France. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery in Saint James at a later date. The family prefers memorials be given to Augustana Lutheran Church. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Saint James. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

The oldest of 15 children, Joyce was born February 22, 1928, to Oliver and Ruth (Mossengren) Wolner at home in Long Lake Township, Watonwan County south of Saint James. She graduated from Saint James High School in 1946 and then attended business school in Saint Paul, Minnesota. After graduation, she and three friends went to California where she worked for a patent law firm. While there, Joyce participated in the Miss California Pagent. She made it to the final 7.

Through work, Joyce was transferred to New York City where she lived and worked for 38 years. She loved New York and loved going to concerts, plays, restaurants, and shopping. She also took opera lessons for 20 years. She also enjoyed reading, watching TV, and engaging in politics.

After retirement, Joyce moved back to Minneapolis and then Saint James. In her final years, she lived at Pleasant View where you could hear her singing opera in her room. Joyce was family orientated and a very generous person.

Joyce is survived by her siblings, Becky (Tom) Schmidt of Saint James, Gary (Meridee) Wolner of Saint James, Steven (Sandra) Wolner of North Conway, New Hampshire, and Mark (Kathy) Wolner of Cottage Grove; sisters-in-law, Cory Wolner of Fairmont and Jeanette Wolner of Madelia; 78 nieces and nephews; 142 great nieces and nephews; 123 great-great nieces and nephews; and 4 great-great-great nieces and nephews.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Jim Wolner, Joan (Dick) Bagley, Gene (Donna) Wolner, Germaine (Lowell) Johnson, Joel (Velma) Wolner, Janet (David) Lee, John Wolner, Jane Mary (Loren) Bergeman, Robert Wolner, and Richard Wolner; 5 nephews; and 4 nieces.

The family would like to thank the staff of Good Samaritan, Pleasant View for their loving care for Joyce over the years.