Joyce R. Klinkhammer

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Joyce Klinkhammer, age 83, of Lake Park, MN, formerly Waubun, MN, died on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at Sunnyside Care Center in Lake Park.

Joyce R. Miller was born December 6, 1941, at home near Beaulieu, MN, the oldest child of Ervin and Florence (Voit) Miller. When she was old enough to start school, she stayed with her grandparents while attending country school. Joyce then transferred to school in Mahnomen and graduated with the Class of 1959. Following high school, she entered the workforce with a job at the Hartz Grocery Store. Joyce was baptized, confirmed and later united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Donald "Butch" Klinkhammer on October 14, 1961, all at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Beaulieu, MN. They made their home in Waubun and were blessed with one daughter, Brenda. After Brenda became a little older Joyce went back to work. She began cleaning houses, then the church and the bank. A job she proudly did for many many years until her retirement. Joyce was also an election judge, which she took pride in. She was a long-time member of St. Ann's Catholic Church, actively working and helping at the church for 40+ years. Throughout the years and all the ups and downs including three cancer diagnosis, Joyce remained steadfast in her faith. Always encouraging her family to pray and attend church. They made their final home at Sunnyside Care Center the Spring of 2024. Butch died shortly after this move, while Joyce continued to make this her home until her passing.

Joyce enjoyed gardening and tending to her flower beds. She and Butch had a bountiful garden. She enjoyed making jams, canning and then sharing with friends and family. Joyce was a wonderful cook, baker and excellent seamstress. She was known for her potato salad, scalloped potatoes, buns, cinnamon rolls and chocolate chip cookies. When she wasn't cooking, she was sewing…making clothes for her family and friends and always hemming Butch's pants. Some additional hobbies included knitting, walking with friends, and dancing. Some of her favorite memories included having friends over for coffee and hosting friends and family over for the famous Waubun days. Above all, it was family and faith. Joyce loved being a wife, mom, grandma and great grandma. She cherished her family, especially the time she was able to spend with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Joyce is survived by her daughter, Brenda (Poul) Sorensen of Mahnomen; grandchildren: Monica (Josh) Kemper of Detroit Lakes, MN, Anita (Ryan) Bendickson of Lake Park, and Alex also of Mahnomen; six great grandchildren: Natalie, Owen, Morgan, Kristian, Evelyn and Lincoln; two brothers, George (Delores) Miller of Mahnomen and Danny Miller of Maple Lake; four sisters: Linda (Doug) Hand of Fosston, MN, Nancy (Doug) Nelson of Ramsey, MN, Phyllis (Carter) Schmidt of Alexandria, MN, and Gayle Halvorson of Cottontown, TN; sisters-in-law, Phyllis Miller of Thief River Falls, MN, and Dyanne Miller of Fertile, MN; numerous nieces, nephews and additional family of Butch's. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Butch; and two brothers, Robert "Bob" and Rick.

Blessed be the memory of Joyce R. Klinkhammer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Waubun. Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 pm on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at Anderson Family Funeral Home in Mahnomen with a Prayer Service & Rosary beginning at 6:30 pm. Burial will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Beaulieu, MN.