Joyce Kapsner

1945 - 2024

Joyce (Haley) Kapsner of Golden Valley passed away on November 24, 2024.

Joyce was born on January 30, 1945 to Chester and Helen Haley. She lived in north Minneapolis until they moved to Brooklyn Center where she attended high school, graduating in 1963.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Pat and brother Chester, Jr.; brothers-in-law Greg Kapsner, Rolland Kapsner; sisters-in-law Maureen Kapsner, Mary Kapsner and Beatrice Kapsner.

She is survived by her husband Warren; sisters-in-law Mary Haley, Sue Kapsner, Lucille (Kapsner) Burgraff; brothers-in-law Gerald, Daniel, Maurice, Eugene and John.

Joyce was born with neurofibromatosis which caused lumps to grow on her face. She required many plastic surgeries over the years. She never let these problems get her down and just enjoyed her life. When she was in the 5th grade she was being teased and bullied by one of the boys about the swelling on her lip. She reached back and punched him in the mouth as hard as she could and said, "there now you have a fat lip too." She was so afraid, she ran home and didn't go back to school that day. Her dad agreed with her that she did the right thing. The bully never teased her again. All her life she always had compassion for people who seemed to have gotten a bad break from life. Anyone could depend on her for help.

Joyce met Warren when he was working with her lifelong friend Sandy. They were married on October 6, 1973. Joyce started her working career processing payroll for M.A. Mortenson Company. Later, she and Warren owned Rapid Graphics and Mailing where she worked until 2011 when she was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer which had metastasized to form four large tumors in her brain. Even after the doctors at Mayo said they could possibly prolong her life 6 months with no hope of a cure she decided to fight the cancer. After a year of treatment with radiation and chemo and a miraculous cure, she retired in 2012. She faced many challenges in her life but one would never know that. She would find a way to rise above the challenge, accept things and move on. She had a very memorable smile and laugh and great sense of humor.

After retirement, Joyce spent 10 years volunteering at The Aliveness Project in south Minneapolis which operates as a food shelf and primarily supports and helps HIV patients. She loved that she could help so many people but was also saddened when getting to know the huge problems that many of the clients faced.

Joyce was known as the Christmas lady. She and her sister Pat went all out for Christmas. She always said the hardest part of decorating was to convince Warren that putting up and decorating eight trees along with the entire house was not a big deal. She loved entertaining and had many large parties during the Christmas season.

She enjoyed traveling, making multiple trips to Europe, Africa, Argentina and Turkey. During her trip to China for her nephew's wedding, she was thrilled to meet the man who discovered the terracotta soldiers which were buried thousands of years ago. She looked forward to going to Naples, Florida or Scottsdale, Arizona every winter and the yearly trips to San Francisco.

Joyce was outgoing and made friends easily. Her joyful presence, welcoming spirit and beautiful smile will be missed by all who knew her. Joyce was always ready to enjoy life. She was everybody's friend and with her selfless nature she went out of her way to help people. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.

Thanks to her lifelong friends Sandy, Carol, Sharon, Joan, Cathy and Bernice for their support in the final months of her life. Also, thanks to Marea and Katti who helped her with driving, shopping and spending time with her the last two years of her life and thanks for the great care she received at Global Pointe Senior Living and Covenant Living.

Come celebrate Joyce's amazing life at 10:00 am Saturday, December 14, 2024, at the Golden Valley Country Club, 7001 Golden Valley Road in Golden Valley.