Joyce J. Korba

Joyce J Korba, age 98 of Oakdale, MN, passed away peacefully at home on April 22, 2025. Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Veronica Forbes, husband Harold (Bud), infant daughter Lynda, son Paul, daughter-in-law Barbara, sister Delores Vitous and brother Jack Forbes. She is survived by her loving family, sons Gary (Nancy), Ken (Marco), Tom, daughter Carol, daughter-in-law Patty, grandchildren Kate (Ben) Reinhardt, Beth (Cory) Cauwels, Noah (Amy), Allison (Crystal), Joey (Sarah Jacobson), Jennifer (Dave Pease), Paul Jr. (Sarah), 15 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Joyce was born prematurely in 1926 at St. Luke's hospital in St. Paul, where she was not expected to live more than 10 hours. Clearly, she defied the odds on that one. She was raised in St. Paul, where she eventually graduated from Monroe High School. After high school, she worked with her mother at The Creamery in St.Paul. Bud made deliveries to The Creamery, where Joyce's mother introduced them. They were married in June of 1950 at St. James Catholic Church in St. Paul. Together they raised their family in Maplewood with extended family near by. Joyce and Bud joined the parish of Guardian Angels in Oakdale, where she sang in the choir and taught CCD classes to the kids. With Bud working full-time at 3M, she stayed home and raised the kids. Once all the kids were in school, Joyce went to work at Snyder Brothers Drug Store in SunRay shopping center until she retired. Joyce was known for her wonderful cooking and baking skills, preparing a delicious Sunday dinner with her family every week. A few family favorites were her made-from- scratch "company" buns, apple pie cuts, whipped cream cake and her INFAMOUS chow mein. She had fun playing the card game 500 with family, and the friendly banter and laughter that came with it. Her favorite pastimes were playing Yahtzee and Snake Eyes with the family, and Solitaire, Word Search and Slot Machines on her iPad. Joyce also loved an occasional trip to the local casinos, using the cash she had in her "gambling purse". She would take the grandkids to the casino for their 18th birthday to show them the ropes. Joyce also enjoyed knitting and crocheting, making hats, scarfs, mittens, sweaters, and many, many afghans and shawls over the years. She was an avid Minnesota sports fan. She watched and attended Twins, Vikings and Wild games over the years, and watched the Timberwolves, Lynx, Gophers, and most recently the Frost as much as she could. But more than anything she loved spending time with her family - they were her pride and joy!
In 2013, Joyce sold her long-time Maplewood home, and moved to the Oak Meadows Senior Living community, where she met so many wonderful friends and sta members. She thrived at her new home, enjoying morning co ee/tea (baking her famous French breakfast pu s for the group), singing in the choir, organizing the monthly ladies breakfast, and participating in many di erent resident activities with her new friends. Joyce was a kind, loving, funny, happy, understanding woman, with a special way of making everyone feel welcomed. She had a long, happy, healthy, beautiful life - we will miss her dearly, but are all so grateful to have been a part of her life for all these years!
A special thank you to Liz, Alyssa and Carol at Joyful Hearts for their friendship and loving care, to the entire sta at Oak Meadows for their kindness and care, and to Tonia along with the rest of the HealthPartners hospice team for Joyce's comfort care in her final days.
Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM on May 20th at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, 8260 4th Street North, Oakdale MN, 55128. Visitation at the church from 10-11:00 AM, prior to mass. Following the mass, a luncheon will be held in Peter O'Neill Hall at the church. Interment will be held at 2:00 PM at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Breakthrough Type 1 Diabetes (formerly Breakthrough Type 1 Diabetes (Formerly JDRF)), www2.breakthrought1d.org.