Obituary of Helen Joyce Norell

Helen Joyce Norell, 90 passed away peacefully on October 4th at the Guardian Angels Care Center in Elk River. Joyce was a lifelong Elk River resident who in 1947 married Duane Hudson, longtime printer at the Star News. She attended Hamline University, studied music at MacPhail and had a beautiful soprano voice.

Joyce was a Red Cross swimming and lifesaving instructor and taught many kids in Sherburne County how to swim. She became the first female president of the local PTA and was active in the Union Congregational Church Sunday school, choir and Centennial Society. In 1999, Joyce was elected department president of the Minnesota American Legion Auxiliary and worked to improve lives of disabled veterans.

Joyce was a voracious reader, lover of wildlife, old movies and musicals, and her many dogs, especially little Nora. She was a wonderful mother, fabulous cook and seamstress to her seven children. She was preceded in death by her parents, Amy and Morris Wilson and husbands Duane Hudson and Edward Norell.

Joyce is survived by her sister, Judith Hidde of Elk River, sons Steven (Brook) Hudson, Wilson (Julie) Hudson, Jonathan (Alex) Hanna-Hudson, Robert (Becca) Hudson and daughters Dianne Hudson, Jane Okronglis, Becky (Lee) Gamm, and stepchildren James and Kathy Norell.

She so adored and cherished time with her eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Helen Joyce’s life will take place on Friday, October 25th at 11:00 a.m. at the Union Congregational Church in Elk River.

Family visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Arrangements through the Cremation Society of Minnesota.

Family wishes to give special thanks to her caregivers with Fairview Hospice and Guardian Angels Care Center.

Helen Joyce requested memorials in lieu of flowers to St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, SD, Fairview Hospice, Guardian Angels Foundation or the Union Congregational Church Music Program.