Joyce S. Paul

Joyce S. Paul, resident of Shakopee, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, January 25, 2026, suddenly of natural causes.

Joyce was born on October 23, 1950, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, she was the daughter of William Henry and Amelia Catherine (Cruciani) Paul. Joyce was raised in Richfield, attended Holy Angels Academy and then attended Winona State University earning a degree in Physical Education. Through her education, Joyce realized she did not enjoy working with children and decided to pursue another career.

Joyce joined the United States Army in 1973. She rose to the rank of Captain and was honorably discharged in 1982 after 9-years of service.

Joyce worked for Hannon Security Company for a few years and then Loss Prevention at Eden Prairie Center. She then joined the Scott County Sherrif's Department as an Emergency 911 Dispatcher. She proudly served Scott County for 17 years, until retiring in 2016.

Joyce will be remembered for her wit and her talent for giving nicknames to all her friends and everyone she worked with. If she didn't know you or forgot your name, she called you "sweetie". She had a few nicknames herself-Scooter, Scoots, JP, and Little Tyke. She even named her cars: her Blazer, "Airborne," and her Equinox, "Beauty." Joyce was feisty and never shy about speaking her mind. She loved Minnesota sports-especially the Vikings-and her home was the place to be on game day. With all the sports channels and her welcoming nature, she was a consummate host.

Joyce had a heart of gold and a beautiful soul. You had to be careful what you said around her-if you mentioned wishing for something, it often appeared if she heard you. She was incredibly generous and always put others' needs before her own.

The "joyceisms" were endless, but the most memorable will always be, "What the Peck".

Joyce will be remembered by many who she befriended, most notably her neighbors who she loved and were so good to her over the years. She is survived by her brothers, John (Audrey) Paul, and Dan (Cindy Androff) Paul. Dear friends, Jamie (Mike) Pearson and their children, Bryson and Emma; Katie (Josh Baker) Kornder, and Kelly Callahan-Ennenga. She was preceded in death by her parents, and brother, Billy Paul.

We will honor Joyce's spirit with a Catholic Prayer Service on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, hosted at McNearney-Schmidt Funeral and Cremation, 1220 3rd Ave E., Shakopee, MN, at 11:00 AM, visitation will be one hour prior the service at the funeral home. She will be laid to rest following the service at Fort Snelling National Cemetery with Veteran's Honors presented. We will meet at Assembly Area # 4 by 12:45 PM, and process to the interment shelter.

*A Celebration of LIFE party will be Thursday, February 5, 2026, hosted at one of Scooter's favorite spots, the American Legion Post #2, 1266 1st Ave E, Shakopee, from 5-8PM.