Joyce Evelyn Voorhees

May 4, 1930 - January 18, 2020

Joyce Voorhees, 89, of Fargo, ND died January 18, 2020 in her home surrounded by family. Joyce Evelyn (Knudson) Voorhees was born May 4, 1930 in Richardton, ND, the daughter of Knute and Evaline Knudson. She was raised on a ranch near Taylor, ND and graduated from Taylor High School in 1948. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in home economics from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN in 1952. In October 1955, Joyce married W.K. (Webb) Voorhees, who she met while teaching in New Salem, ND. They lived in Morton, Mountrail, Stark and Steele counties, where Joyce held various high school and college teaching positions and Webb served as an NDSU county extension agent. In 1968 they relocated to Cavalier, ND where they resided for 43 years, until moving to Touchmark in Fargo, ND in 2011. In Cavalier, Joyce ran a preschool for 3-5-year olds for 23 years and was proud to be the first educator to more than 1300 children. She was a strong proponent of lifelong education. Her curious nature and desire to learn kept her reading and following current events until the last moments of her life. A natural teacher, she used her skills in formal, informal and community educational settings. Joyce was active in many community and church activities throughout her life. She was the first woman council member and president of the church council of United Lutheran in Cavalier, ND and was a long-time member of the Northeastern North Dakota Heritage Association. While living at Touchmark, she volunteered in several capacities including with the sight impaired. Joyce liked to say that she was a Bison by marriage and followed them faithfully. She was an avid fan of high school sports as well as professional football and baseball - skills acquired after decades of marriage to a sports enthusiast. She and her husband travelled nationally and internationally throughout their life together. Joyce is survived by three daughters; Jean Voorhees, Fargo, Nancy (Pete Martin) Voorhees, Half Moon Bay, CA; and Stephanie (Michael) Holm, Moorhead, MN; five grandchildren, Cooper, Morgan, and Maret Holm; Kirsten and Mitchell Martin; brother and sister-in-law, Vernon and Lois Knudson, Cooperstown, ND, and her sister Winifred Christensen, Fargo, ND. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and a brother, Kenneth Knudson. Committal will be at the Pioneer Cemetery, Taylor, ND, on January 22, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 25th at 2:00 p.m. at Touchmark, 1200 Harwood Drive, Fargo, ND. Memorials are suggested to Hospice of the Red River Valley or choice of the donor.