Joyce Nelson

1934-2019

Joyce Joann Nelson, 84, a longtime resident of Ridgecrest, California went to be with her Lord on January 23, 2019 after a lengthy battle with dementia and a short bout of pneumonia.

Joyce was born in Creighton, South Dakota on May 21, 1934 to Henry and Edna (Hook) Clarin. She grew up on a farm near Menahga, Minnesota. She graduated high school in 1952 and went on to graduate with a teacher’s diploma in Bible from Moody Bible Institute of Chicago in 1958. She married Warren Nelson in 1963. While living in Minnesota, they had two daughters. The family moved to California and had two sons.

She taught many Bible classes in children’s ministry in Minnesota and California, and loved working with children. She enjoyed being involved with many activities at Immanuel Baptist Church and enjoyed cooking, coffee, casseroles, and pie. People who knew her were touched by her warmth and kindness.

After her children were in school, she worked locally at an antique store and The Village Bookstore.

She is survived by husband Warren; daughters: Nancy (Brian) Voigt and Renee Solberg; sons: Nathan Nelson and Justin (Becky) Nelson; grandchildren: Daniel, Kayla, Abigail, and Angela. She is survived by her siblings: Don Clarin, Joan Torma, Janet (Jim) Makela, Jewel (Ron) Anderson, Linda (Dick) Nevala, and Lora (Eric) Erickson. She was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Edna Clarin; and her brothers: Dale, Leon, and Gary Clarin.

Services were held at Immanuel Baptist Church, in Ridgecrest on Friday, February 8, 2019.