Obituary for Joyce Annette Merriman

Joyce Annette Merriman passed away on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at age 63 after a hard fought 11-month battle with cancer.  Joyce was born November 12, 1957 in Benson, Minnesota the daughter of Majorie Bernice Johnson and Gehard Clifford Mitteness. 

Joyce’s early life taught her an incredible work ethic, level of toughness and strength through her hard work and dedication helping on her family farm. Her strong- willed personality was exemplified throughout her life and battle with her illness. She attended Benson High School and later the University of Minnesota where she attained her Bachelor’s Degrees in animal science and journalism from the University of Minnesota.

Joyce exemplified the meaning of unconditional love and respect throughout her 33 years of marriage to her husband Bruce. They met in Denver, Colorado and after two years of dating, Bruce proposed on July 4, 1986 under the fireworks and they married on March 7, 1987. Joyce and Bruce set a wonderful and important example of true partnership in a relationship.

Caretaking was Joyce’s passion. She fostered a supportive and close-knit family environment filled with love, laughter, patience and lots of trips to the emergency room raising three rambunctious boys who never said no to adventure. She loved to watch her children do the things that made them happiest in life and was always their biggest fan, supporting them whichever way the wind blew. She wanted her house to be the gathering place for friends and family so she always made sure that anyone who entered her home felt welcomed, loved and taken care of.

Joyce was an active gardener and enjoyed spending time on the weekends doing yard work and perusing  the aisles at the grocery store to find the best “fuel saver” deals. She was a devoted K-State sports fan and hardly ever missed watching a football game. She had a love of country music – a bond she often shared with her family during cross- country road trip sing alongs - and the great outdoors. In addition, she was a mentor to many throughout her successful career as an Editor.

A daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a friend and a caretaker of many. The warmth, love and strength she lived by will be carried on by her loved ones for generations to come. There is no end to the amount of lives Joyce touched and the lasting impact she left on everyone she loved. Joyce will be greatly missed.

Joyce is survived by her husband Bruce; her three sons, Sam, Joe and Matt; her mother Marjorie Mitteness; Her siblings Brad Mitteness, Gary Mitteness and Linda Mitteness.