Joyce Marian Palmer

Joyce Marian (Kangas) Palmer passed away peacefully at Rose Haven on April 19, 2017 in Menahga, Minnesota at the age of 86. Joyce was born in Detroit, Michigan on November 3, 1930 to Eino and Anna Palokangas. She was the oldest of 4 children. After eighth grade, her family moved to Minnesota. She attended Sebeka High School until she graduated in 1948. During high school, Joyce excelled at cheerleading, which helped her catch the eye of a then young Lyle Edward Palmer. Soon after, they married and a son, John, was born and they promised to do this once every ten years for three decades until they had three sons, John, Isaac and Matthew. Joyce worked in a vast number of occupations. She was a waitress at Dotie’s Café, she worked at Dayton’s in the Foshay Tower, and she was a bank teller in Sebeka and managed the Co-op Credit Union. She sold Watkins and was also widely known for selling Electrolux products. For a short time, she worked for the Sebeka Liquor Store. Her real passion was being a rummage sale entrepreneur. She was a foster parent and managed the Palmer House group home. She bought, sold, traded and gifted almost anything. Out of this passion spawned the Not What Shop, aka, the “Knitwit shop” which was a perpetual rummage sale that went on for years in the basement of her church home and then she and her sister, Gladys, started the Sisu Sisters World Trade Emporium. She was also a St. Urho queen. Joyce enjoyed cross country skiing, wild ricing, karate, softball, bowling, golf, Homecoming, reunions and watching all of her grandchildren play in their many sports. She was an active member in the Wadena County Historical Society. She loved art, history and all antiques. She loved to travel, especially with her long-time companion, Al Kleinke, who was a very special friend to her the last many years of her life. They often enjoyed sitting on the deck in the evening, looking at her flowers and having a glass of wine. She is survived by everyone who can still read this, including her son, John Palmer of Belgrade, Montana; son Isaac (Christine) Palmer of Pequot Lakes, Minnesota; Matthew (Rebecca) Palmer of Sebeka, MN; sister Gladys Hayenga of Lakeville, Minnesota; brother Carl (Carol) Kangas of Great Falls, Montana; brother Stanley (Florence) Kangas of Paradise, Montana. Beloved grandchildren: Jordan, Abigail, Tristan, Levi, Morgan and Sonja. Great-grandchild Jordan, Jr. Many nieces and nephews. Special friend, Alfred Kleinke. Joyce was preceded in death by her father, Eino Kangas; mother, Anna Kangas; husband, Lyle Palmer. Visitation will be from 4-8 PM on Monday, April 24, 2017 at the Wevley Funeral home in Sebeka, MN and one hour prior to the service at the church. Services will be held Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at 3:00 PM at First English Lutheran Church in Menahga, MN. Interment will be at Menahga City Cemetery.