Joyce LaVerne Negard

Joyce Negard, 93, was reunited with her husband, John, on September 10, 2021 at Primrose Retirement Community in Duluth, Minnesota. Joyce was born in Aitkin, MN to William and Marie (Eggum) Gorsuch on Sept. 6, 1928.

When she was 16 years old, Joyce got her first job at a small, family-run café. She proved herself to be a valued employee and became the only non-family employee allowed to work alone and handle the cash register. Proud of her reliability and success in this first job, Joyce soon decided she wanted to quit high school. Her mother allowed this with the stipulation that Joyce sign up for and attend beauty school. Joyce completed her education, received her beautician’s license and worked at various salons, eventually earning her manager’s license and buying her own shop when her employer wanted to retire. Later, Joyce earned her GED when she was given the opportunity to test for an instructor’s exam where she would be able to teach at the local beauty school if she chose to do so. She never did teach future beauticians, but was proud of earning her credentials.

Joyce married John Negard on Jan. 25, 1947 in San Francisco. The couple used many of their vacations to travel the country with their young family in one of the first VW Bugs sold in Duluth. They were always pleased that the small car would make it to the West Coast and back through the mountains with their family of four within the 2 weeks of allocated vacation. After their retirement, they continued their travels in a modified, used minivan. The first modification Joyce insisted on was the removal of a painted mermaid on the back of the vehicle. One of their regular destination was to see the Crazy Horse memorial in South Dakota. The couple made yearly visits to see the progress of the site until they were no longer able to travel, and John passed away at 93 having spent the last 67 of them with Joyce, the love of his life.

Throughout her lifetime, she was a loving, gracious, and inviting hostess who welcomed everyone to be a part of holiday celebrations, ensuring everyone had a place to celebrate with family. Joyce lived a full and happy life and will be missed by everyone she leaves behind. 

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John; great-grandson Dru Tousignant; and sisters, Geneva and Lorraine.

Joyce is survived by her daughters, Pennie (Richard) Turcott and Lee Ann (David) LaPlante; 4 granddaughters; 7 great-grandsons; 2 great-granddaughters; and several nieces and nephews.

Interment will be at Sunrise Memorial Park with her husband, John.

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