Joyce Green

Joyce Green, age 90, of Wilmot, SD, died on December 15, 2020, at Wilmot Care Center.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 19, at 10:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Wilmot.  Rev. Dr. DeVern Schwenn will officiate and burial will be in the Wilmot City Cemetery.  Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the service.

While maintaining social distancing guidelines, we are now able to gather for visitations and services. The use of face masks by attendees is recommended. For those who prefer or require continued precautions, webcasting and/or livestreaming will be viewable under this obituary.

Joyce LaVonne Knutson was born on November 14, 1930, in Watertown, SD.  She was the daughter of Leonard and Jessie (Gregg) Knutson. She grew up in the Summit area and attended country school. Joyce worked as a nanny for a family in Watertown. She was a “Summit farm girl” who fell in love with a “Wilmot farm boy.” She and Marlyn Duane Green were united in marriage on June 22, 1952, at First Presbyterian Church in Wilmot. They loved to go to the movies; they were lovingly teased for many years for watching The Wizard of Oz.

Joyce and Marlyn were blessed with two daughters: Dee Ann and Conda. They farmed together for many years in Roberts County. They loved family vacations and, in later years, appreciated traveling to fun destinations such as Hawaii and Niagara Falls.  Joyce was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church and served as a church elder.  She participated with the United Presbyterian Women.

Joyce was a member of the Chatterin’ Chicks Extension Club.  She worked for Dacotah while they were in Wilmot.  She was a member and volunteer of the Wilmot Care Center Auxiliary.  Joyce loved to read; her family found it difficult to keep her with enough books.  She treasured a life-long pen pal from Missouri.  She was crafty and enjoyed crocheting and embroidery.  Joyce had a “green thumb” and loved her vegetable and flower gardens. She enjoyed a cup of tea, and most importantly, loved her family.

Marlyn passed away on October 11, 2012.  Joyce has since resided in Wilmot.  A memory cherished by her family is of Joyce picking out and purchasing a new black car by herself. Her family is still driving her car!

Left to cherish her memory are her two daughters: Dee Ann (Wayne) Dragt of Milbank, SD; and Conda Green (Richard Eck) of Yale, SD; one granddaughter, Krystle (Troy) Miller of Sioux Falls, SD; one great-grandson, Silas Miller; one brother, Rick (Diane) Knutson of Summit, SD; two sisters-in-law: Jan Knutson of Watertown, SD; and Louise Green of Wilmot, SD.  Joyce was preceded in death by her parents: Leonard and Jessie; her husband, Marlyn; and two brothers: Don Knutson and Gary Knutson.