On September 24, 2024, Joyce Ann Burgess was welcomed into heaven on the arc of a rainbow. On that day, Joyce’s favorite saying, “Let’s see what the day brings,” was answered for all time.
Joyce Ann Jacobson was born Nov. 27, 1943, in Rock Rapids, Iowa. Her parents, Sigurd and Johanna Jacobson, had four girls - Sylvia, Annette, Joyce and Lynda. Joyce often told people that she was a Norwegian/Dutch farm girl from southern Minnesota. She did that because the family farm where she was raised was a source of pride for all the girls. It instilled in her a love of hard work, caring for the land, and a feeling of accomplishment at the end of a day.
After graduating from Hills-Beaver Creek High School, she attended Mankato State where she earned a degree in teaching. She married Doug Burgess and then moved to Roseville where she began her career in in the Anoka-Ramsey school district.
Later she and Doug moved back to Mankato where she began teaching again, this time at the TAPP program in Mankato, and later at Mankato area high schools.
Joyce had three children, Nichole, Leah and Matt. Joyce had another favorite saying: “Build them a nest. But give them wings.” This became a guiding principle in Joyce’s parenting life – and what an amazing mother she was. When her kids started having their own kids, Grandma Joyce was a loving and steadfast presence in all of their lives.
Joyce lived almost her entire adult life in Mankato. In 1985 her family moved to “Sakatah Farm,” along the State Trail, where they had horses, gardens, and lots of trees. Joyce enjoyed caring for the farm, but in 2018 she moved to an apartment in town, her “hotel” as her grandson Liam called it (a funny fact that she often referenced). This is where Joyce and her beloved dog Sophie would live most of her remaining years.
The pure kindness and calm presence of Joyce was always felt by those around her. Her common sayings like “This too shall pass; keep calm and carry on; and life is choices” are part of the legacy of caring and wisdom she leaves behind.
Joyce is survived by her three sisters, Sylvia (Roger), Annette, Lynda (Jake) and three children, Nichole (Robert), Leah, and Matt (Daidre), her grandchildren Myles, Lucy, Caleb, Ruby, Sloane and Liam, and sweet Sophie (now 98 in human years). In addition, she has many beloved nieces and nephews, Sarah (Dixon), Andy, Bryce (Janice), Craig (Saskia) and Lynette (Mike).
She is preceded in death by her parents, Sigurd and Johanna Jacobson.
A celebration of Joyce’s life will be held November 30 at 1 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Mankato, where Joyce was a member for over 50 years.
For more information, and to share comments and stories honoring Joyce, please visit: https://epilogg.com/obituary/in-memory-of-joyce-ann-burgess-mankato-mn-usa-12016
