Joyce Larson, age 95, died on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at Sanford Broadway Medical Center after a short but courageous battle with cancer.

Joyce Esther Bye was born on April 17, 1931 in Mayville, ND to Edwin and Alma Bye. She grew up on a farm and graduated from high school in Galesburg, ND. After graduating she attended Interstate Business College in Fargo, ND. She was united in marriage to Louis Larson on November 5, 1950 in Galesburg, ND. They made their home in Fargo, where Louis was employed by NDSU, later making his career of 30 years as operations manager of deLendricies/Herbergers. Joyce returned to work at the Veterans Administration when their children were older. She was the secretary for the Dental Service for 25 years before retiring.

Joyce was an active person. She was known to say that "busy people are happy people." She and Louis were members of First Lutheran Church for over 70 years. They belonged to Couples Club, worked at the First Lutheran food booth at the fair, folded bulletins for Sunday services, and faithfully attended church every Sunday. Joyce was in Women's Circle groups and sang in the choir for many years. She was a member of the Women's Auxiliary for the Galesburg American Legion for over 50 years. Louis and Joyce were members of the Sons of Norway, helping to make and serve brunches in the earlier years at Kringen Lodge. Joyce was a member of the El Zagal Shrine Women's Auxiliary, supporting her husband in the Oriental Band unit, and later when he was the Potentate of El Zagal in 1990. She loved helping to organize dinners, style shows, golf tournaments and parades, all in support of the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Joyce loved spending time with her family, baking and making good food for them. She taught her grandchildren to play Dominoes, Chinese Checkers, and card games. But the game she loved the most was Bridge. She played the game well, and was in many different groups and clubs over the years. Even at the age of 95 she was playing bridge twice a week. She played her last game three weeks before she died, playing a foursome with her daughter, her son-in-law, and a good friend. Joyce liked to say that playing bridge got her out of the house, she made new friends, and it was "good for the noggin."

In retirement, Louis and Joyce enjoyed spending their winters in Mesa, Arizona and their summers at their Cotton Lake cabin. After Louis's death in 2020, Joyce continued to live in their home of 72 years, until about a week before she died.

Joyce is survived by her daughter Diane Erickson (Kip), her son Randy Larson, and her daughter-in-law Jill Larson (Curt, deceased). She is survived by six grandchildren: Stacie Joy Frandrup (Justin), Jonathon Erickson (Sadie), Joshua Erickson, Jonathan Larson, Jacob Larson, and Amy Larson-Sperling (Joshua). She is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, three siblings, her husband Louis, and her son Curt.

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, August 21, 2026 at First Lutheran Church, Fargo, with visitation one hour prior. Burial will be at Elm River Cemetery, Galesburg, ND following the service.