Obituary of Joyce Eileen Henkel

Joyce Eileen Henkel, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 16, 2018, of a massive heart attack. She was six weeks short her 93rd Birthday. Fortunately, Joyce's sister, Dorothy Anderson, from Burnsville, MN, and Dorothy's friend, were with her at the time. Joyce had also seen many family members the previous weekend and had just returned from a multi-day visit with Dorothy that same day. Joyce was born on June 27, 1925 in Stewart, Minnesota. She was the youngest of three children born to Esther (Macheledt) and Allyn Ahlers. Upon graduation from high school, she moved to Minneapolis to attend the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where she received a bachelor's degree in Dietetics and Home Economics. While there she met her future husband, Donald Henkel, whom she married Dec. 4, 1947. She regularly loved to tell the story of how they met; he walked up to her and said, "you're the woman I'm going to marry," and she responded "yah, right." But Don was persistent and won her over. In June of 1948, during a delayed honeymoon to Duluth, Don accepted a job offer, and they set down their roots. Joyce initially became a homemaker. She regularly told the story of how every Christmas she would bake 144 dozen cookies to bring to family gatherings, give as gifts to elderly relatives and provide to her family. Her freezer was stocked and many times during the year her daughters snitched frozen Christmas cookies. Nine months after their marriage they had their first daughter, Kay, and 5.5 years later had another daughter, Sandra. In the 1960s Joyce started employment for the Gallup Poll, known for its public opinion polls. Shortly thereafter she went on to become a social worker for 20 years at St. Louis County, working primarily with State Wards, until she retired in 1987. Joyce and Don enjoyed 65 years of marriage. She liked going to their cabin north of Grand Rapids, MN, feeding numerous chipmunks that would come to the door chittering for food as soon as she arrived. When family visited they were under strict orders to leash their dogs, so as not to scare the "chippies." We never told her, but Parker caught one. As a matter of fact, all animals were to be considered "safe" when on the property, although, a few grouse bit the dust there, unbeknownst to her. Joyce also loved all the hummingbirds, which were very active and plentiful, zipping between her and the magazines she would read on the front deck. They'd even hover right at her head and she was insistent that they knew who she was. Sometimes they would make a special 2.5 hour trip to the cabin just to fill the hummingbird feeders. Joyce also loved to travel, and she and Don took numerous boat cruises and bus trips during their retirement years. We have pictures of every tour guide, bus driver, waiter, hotel room and ship stateroom to prove it! She also enjoyed meeting and being around people, whether on those trips, at church or anywhere in public. She regularly attended a Red Hat Group, AARP meetings, Union Meetings and Church Groups. She was often greeted with hugs from friends and staff, even when just out at the grocery store or pharmacy. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, her older brother, Bud Ahlers and her husband, Don Henkel. Joyce is survived by her two daughters: Kay (Ken) LaBoone of Lakeville, MN; and Sandra (Jerry) Henkel-Johnson of Esko, MN; three grandsons: Jeffrey (Jessica) Henkel-Johnson, Duluth, MN; David Henkel-Johnson (fiance Taushia Brooks), Duluth, MN; and Donald LaBoone, Lakeville, MN; one granddaughter: Eileen LaBoone, Lakeville, MN; three great grandchildren, William, Alexandra, and Elise Johnson, Duluth; her sister Dorothy Anderson of Burnsville, MN, and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM on Saturday June 16, at Glen Avon Presbyterian Church, at 2105 Woodland Ave, Duluth, until the memorial service at 11:00 AM. Burial will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery in Duluth prior to the church service.