Joy C. Askeland

Joy C. Askeland

1920 - 2024

NORTH MANKATO, MINNESOTA - Joy Carol Askeland, 104, of North Mankato, Minnesota, formerly of Holstein, died on Nov. 17, 2024 in her home at Oak Terrance Asst. Living in North Mankato, Minnesota.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Mankato Mortuary on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024 at 11 a.m., with visitation at 10 a.m. A family graveside burial service will be held at the Holstein Cemetery at a later date.

Joy was born on Sept. 9, 1920 and grew up in Spirit Lake, Iowa, the oldest of four children born to Leo and Susan Hedges. She met her husband, Clarence Askeland, at the Roof Garden in Arnolds Park, Iowa. They were united in marriage on July 4, 1942. While Clarence served his country in the United States Navy during WWII, Joy worked as a telephone operator for Northwestern Bell in Spirit Lake. Together, they raised five children in Milford, Iowa, moving to Holstein, Iowa in 1966. Clarence died in 1978. Joy moved to Worthington in 2006, and to North Mankato in 2016 to be close to family.

Joy lived a full life as a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and homemaker. At the time of her death, she was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church, Holstein, and the Dessel-Schmidt Women’s Auxiliary in Holstein. In her 104 years, she witnessed incredible changes to her world, asked questions and was able to remain educated on current events. Most of all, she loved her family and will be dearly missed forever in their hearts.

Joy is survived by her children, Donald Askeland of Mankato, Minnesota, James (Roseann) Askeland of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Wendy (John) Fell of Mankato, Minnesota, son-in-law Bruce Bohning, Worthington, Minnesota; grandchildren, Per Askeland, East Lansing, Michigan, Erika (Chris) Ingalls, Jonesboro, Arkansas, Rachel (Wes) Klasky, Jonesboro, Arkansas, Ryan Singleton (Marisha), Jonesboro, Arkansas, Jennifer (Adam) Chelstrom, North Mankato, Minnesota, Travis (Amy) Fell, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, brother Lynn Hedges, Arizona, and many beloved great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Joy is preceded in death by her husband, Clarence; daughter Mary Sue Askeland, daughter Joni Bohning, grandson Tyler Fell, daughter in law, Mary M Askeland, sister, Marvel Jiminez and brother Charles Hedges.

A heartfelt thank you to the team of angels at Oak Terrace Assisted Living and to Mayo Hospice for the care they provided to Joy.