Joyce Poykko

Joyce Poykko, 90, Grand Forks, ND, formerly of Gackle, ND, died Sunday December 2, 2018 at Woodside Village – Valley Memorial Homes in Grand Forks, ND.

Joyce M. Nordahl was born December 11, 1927 in Litchville, ND, the daughter of John and Mabel (Giste) Nordahl. She attended Hastings High School where she graduated in 1945. She attended Valley City State College, earning her BS degree in elementary education. She taught school in Litchville, Marion, Streeter and Gackle.

Joyce and Wes Poykko were married July 20, 1952 in Hastings, ND and established a home in Gackle, where they had two children, Julie and Brian. In 1956 they moved to Winston, OR but returned to North Dakota in 1961 where she taught early elementary grades in Alfred for a few years before becoming the second grade teacher in Gackle.

In all, she taught school for 31 years, 26 of those years for the Gackle Public School System. Joyce retired in 1988. Joyce enjoyed watching high school sports. She enjoyed traveling extensively, going to Norway and Finland twice. She bowled and golfed for many years, and loved to crochet. Most of all she loved helping others and loved her family, especially her grandchildren.

Following the death of Wes December 2, 2005, she continued to live in Gackle until moving to Grand Forks in 2011 to be closer to family.

She is survived by her son, Brian (Sue) Poykko, Grand Forks; two grandchildren, Eric (Emily) Post, Lincoln, NE, and Carl (Shawn) Post, Chicago, IL; a sister, Inez Anderson, Evansville, MN; and foreign exchange student (special son), Vesa Savolainen, Finland.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and daughter Julie and a sister, Adeline Meidinger.