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Obituary for Joyce Elaine Stairs
Joyce Elaine Harris was born on July 9, 1943 to Weldon and Mabel (Good) Harris in Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada.
On July 29, 1959 she married Robert Eugene Stairs. On July 19, 1960 their first child, James Robert was born in Woodstock, NB, Canada. The following year the family moved to Bloomington, MN. They lived with Gene’s parents upon their arrival before moving to their own home on Columbus Avenue in Bloomington before the birth of Joanne Marie on January 28, 1963. In the summer of 1964, they moved again to Mission Road in Bloomington where they were living when their third child, John Weldon, was born on September 17, 1964.
Joyce stayed home to care for her family for many years, but she had a dream. She returned to school to earn her high school diploma which she received in 1978. She then attended the 2 year RN program at Normandale Community College in Bloomington. She graduated with her Registered Nursing degree in 1981. She began working at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina, MN, where she eventually was able to work in the Special Care Nursery. This was what she had wanted to specialize in since her first granddaughter Jennifer’s premature birth in 1979. In 1992 she was the attending nurse at the birth of her granddaughter Melissa Joy, who was named after Joyce.
Joyce was a skilled seamstress and an avid gardener. She enjoyed baking, canning, camping, boating, fishing and spending time with her family and friends. She will always be remembered for her sweet disposition and kindness to others.
Joyce passed away on May 27, 2011 at Golden Age Manor in Amery, WI at the age of 67. She was preceded in death by her parents, Weldon Mabel Harris. She is survived by her husband, Gene; son Jim Stairs (Cindy), daughter Joanne Stairs (Scott Servin), and son John Stairs. Eight grandchildren; Jennifer Dawson, Tim Dreher, Laura Melissa Chesky, Rachel Halberg, Katie, Elaine Sarah Stairs. Seven great-grandchildren; Rebecca, Tyler, Nicholas Kailey Halberg, Madison Connor Dawson, Ryan Stairs.
A memorial service will be held for Joyce on Thursday, June 2nd at Rowe Funeral Cremation Services, 101 Cedar Street, Frederic, WI 54837. The service will begin at 11:00 am, with a visitation one hour prior.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for donations to be made in Joyce’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Wisconsin.
http://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pg=fundfr_id=1060pxfid=30361
For more information about the services call Bruce at the Rowe Funeral Home in Frederic at 715-327-4475.
