JOYCE RAMSAY

JOYCE RAMSAY 06/19/1941 - 06/27/2025 Joyce Edla Jeanette (Kinnunen) Ramsay, 84, formerly of Clarkfield and Wolf Lake, passed away June 27, 2025, to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Joyce was born June 19, 1941, at Jack Pine Center, Wadena Country, to Jennie (Keranen) and Walter Kinnunen. She grew up in Wolf Lake. She lived there with her parents, brother Wallace and grandmother Edla. Joyce attended St. Olaf College in 1959 and joined the ROTC Navy Nurse program her senior year in 1962 . She graduated with a bachelor's in nursing from St. Olaf. While attending St. Olaf she met the love of her life Paul Ramsay of Northfield October 13, 1962. On April 22, 1963, Paul asked Joyce to be his wife. They were married on August 22, 1964, at Spruce Grove Lutheran Church, Wolf Lake. They lived in Chase, Md.; Clarkfield; Wolf Lake; Park Rapids; and Edmond, Okla. Joyce was a registered nurse for over 60 years. Her nursing career led her to serve as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy after college, stationed at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Washington, D.C. She then worked at Clarkfield Community Hospital, Clarkfield Care Center and started the Clarkfield Home Health Department. Then she worked at St Joseph's Community Hospital in Park Rapids as the director of the home health department and discharge planner. In her free time, she kept books for Kinnunen Store, organized five years of auctions when Kinnunen Store closed. She was active in her faith serving as a parish nurse for Christ Lutheran Church, church secretary at both Christ Lutheran and Clarkfield Lutheran Church. Joyce enjoyed many activities with her husband Paul. Being involved with the Wolf Lake Lions club, playing her clarinet in the Montevideo, Detroit Lakes and Park Rapids Community Bands, having fun camping with the Birchwood crew, and doing crafts (sewing, knitting, crocheting, and needle work). She loved traveling and going on cruises during her retirement with Paul and accomplished her goal going to every state in the United States, plus visiting Europe, and many tropical islands. Joyce will be remembered by her family and friends as being a loving wife, mother, caring for others and having a sparkle of joy and the love of Jesus Christ in her heart. Joyce is survived by her son Thomas Ramsay of Wolf Lake; daughter Sara (Ramsay) Olstad of Edmond; and five granddaughters: Hanna, Myah, Ingrid, Dayana, and Kaisa. A Celebration of life will be held at Christ Lutheran Church in Wolf Lake. She will be laid to rest next to her husband Paul at Little Falls Veterans Cemetery.