S. Joyce Briggs, age 79, of Northfield, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Saturday, July 3, 2010 at the Twin Rivers Senior Campus in Cannon Falls following a brief illness.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Northfield with the Rev. Marty Raths officiating. Music will be provided by Donna Paulsen.

Visitation will be on Thursday at the church from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Memorials are preferred to the United Methodist Church or to the donor’s choice in memory of Joyce.

Shirley Joyce Bronson was born in Nevada, Iowa on December 27, 1930 to Frederick and Helen (Armstrong) Bronson. In 1931, the family moved to a farm new Freeborn, Minnesota and in 1938 to a farm near Alden, Minnesota. She attended schools in Freeborn, Alden District # 70 country school and graduated co-salutatorian of the class of 1948 from Alden High School. She then worked as a secretary for Kraft Foods Company in Albert Lea.

On June 12, 1949, Joyce was united in marriage to Wayne LeRoy Briggs at the Methodist Church in Alden and later moved to Northfield where Wayne was employed in the Treasurer’s Office at St. Olaf College. She worked occasionally as a secretary at Schjeldhal Co. In Farmington, for St. Olaf and Carleton Colleges and for several years at Hackerson Insurance Agency but preferred staying home to care for her family, her home and her garden. She was a member of the United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School and served in many areas. She was also a Cub Scout Den Mother, Nursery School President and chaired the Red Cross Bloodmobile Drive in Northfield. She also enjoyed volunteering at different organizations such as Meals on Wheels, the Clothes Closet, the Hospital Book Fair, the Senior Center and Backpack.

She is survived by her sons Michael (Kathy) Briggs of Cannon Falls and Terry (Becky) Briggs of Concord, N.C.; grandchildren Christopher and Caitlin Briggs, Kimberly (Scott) Adamski and their children Brandon and Kiana, Kelly (Jim) Lauridsen and their children Kerri and Austin, and Daren Keasling and his children Claire and Julia; twin brother Kermit (LeAnn) Bronson of Glenville, MN; sister-in-law Nancy Bronson of Alden, MN; and by many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Wayne in 1996, infant son Billy, her parents and by her brother Merlin Bronson.

Joyce’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the Fairview Red Wing Hospice and to the Comfort Care Staff for the care they provided to Joyce.