Joyce A. Dahlen

Joyce A. Dahlen, age 72, resident of McVille, ND, formerly of rural Whitman/Michigan, ND, died Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at the NCHS Hospital in McVille.

Joyce Arlene Hjelseth was born August 26, 1946 at Lakota, ND, the daughter of James and Agnes Kvalevog Hjelseth.  She was raised and educated in the Michigan area, graduating from Michigan High School in 1964.  Joyce married Gerald Klug on August 27, 1965.  Gerald died in 1973.  Joyce married Ronald Dahlen on July 22, 1975.  They lived and raised their family together on the Dahlen family farm near Whitman.  Ronald died August 16, 2016.  Joyce was the owner/operator of JD’s Café in Michigan and JD’s Lower Level in Petersburg.  She also cooked at many local restaurants, Lakota High School, and Park River Bible Camp.  She received her dietary certification and cooked at the Nelson County Hospital in McVille.  Joyce was very active in her community.  She volunteered at the Nelson County Food Pantry and Hospice, was a board member of the Nelson County Health Foundation, the local Farmers Union, Sarnia United Lutheran Church and WELCA for many years, and most recently the McVille Lutheran Church.  Joyce enjoyed being surrounded by family and friends for any occasion, writing poetry, listening to music, dancing, an avid Elvis Presley fan, butterflies, bible studies, Church worship, laughing with friends and family, and she always had a smile.  She believed in living life to its’ fullest and sharing compassion to those in need.

Joyce will be deeply missed by her 5 children, Dennis (Mary) Dahlen of Rochester, MN, Allen (JoAnn) Dahlen of Grand Forks, ND, Kevin (Jill) Dahlen of Grand Forks, ND, Jody (Mark) Slettebak of Perham, MN, James (Josh) Dahlen of Sacramento, CA; 9 grandchildren, Nicole (Dominick) Ruggiero, Matthew Dahlen, Sara (Mason) Rector, Joshua Dahlen, Lexie (Jason) Larson, Ian Dahlen, Hope Slettebak, Emma Dahlen, and Aaron Slettebak; 3 great grandchildren, Alistair Ruggiero, Harper Rector, and Vivianna Ruggiero; a sister, Beverly (Garfield) Clemens of Cooperstown, ND; and a sister-in-law, Marilyn Somdahl of Bloomington, MN.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and both husbands, Gerald Klug and Ronald Dahlen.

The Funeral Service for Joyce will be held at the McVille Lutheran Church, McVille, ND, on Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at 10:30 a.m.  Interment will be in the West Forest Cemetery, rural Whitman, ND.  Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota on Tuesday, beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation will continue at the church on Wednesday, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.

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