Joyce Blowers

MARSHALL–Joyce Blowers, age 94, of Marshall, Minnesota, died peacefully on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at her home in Marshall, Minnesota. Funeral Services are 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. Interment will follow in the Marshall Cemetery. Then attendees are invited to a reception at the AmericInn Hotel in Marshall. Visitation will be held one hour prior to her celebration, from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, also at Hamilton Funeral Home. Service recording and an online guestbook are available at www.hamiltonfh.com.

Joyce Elaine Kruger was born January 6, 1931, in Martin County, Minnesota. She was the 4th daughter born to Alfred and Frida (Hasstedt) Kruger. Joyce was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. She graduated from Sherburn High School and during her teenage years Joyce worked various jobs earning enough money to attend and pay for her college education at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota. Following graduation, Joyce was called to Northrop, Minnesota, where she taught at the parochial school there for two years. She was then called to teach at the parochial school in Wilbert, Minnesota, where she spent another year.

On June 7, 1953, Joyce was united in marriage to Roy W. Blowers. Their marriage was blessed with daughter, Marie, and two sons, Allen and Willis, and they also were blessed to later adopt Andrew. Joyce was a proud homemaker and mother for 17 years as her family grew. She worked for one year at the bakery and another year at the telephone company in Grinnell, Iowa. Then. in 1972, Roy purchased the grain elevator in Marshall and Joyce worked there with him as his bookkeeper. In 1984 they purchased the elevator in Ghent, Minnesota. Joyce often commented on how much she enjoyed working with area farmers and appreciated all the relationships she built in the family business.

On October 10, 1985, Roy fell from a grain dryer at the Marshall elevator ending his earthly life. Their son Willis, then came to work at the business in January of 1986. The Marshall elevator eventually sold, and Cottonwood Farmers Elevator purchased the Ghent elevator in 1995. Joyce continued to work at the Cottonwood elevator for three more years prior to retiring. She then worked for over a decade as a cook at Samuel Lutheran School in Marshall.

Joyce was a loving soul and often said exactly what was on her mind. She truly enjoyed her life, traveling to many different countries, including China. She visited many places in the United States and fondly remembered Alaska, Hawaii, and going on five different cruises to the Caribbean with various friends and family members. Her other hobbies included dancing, reading, puzzles, quilting, working in her flower garden, and participating in games at the Senior Center. Joyce also attended classes at the senior Gold College, and she volunteered many hours as the foster grandmother in Mrs. Peterson’s first grade class at Parkside School in Marshall.

Always proud of her independence, Joyce died peacefully on January 16, 2025, at her home in Marshall, just ten days after her 94th birthday. Blessed be her memory.

She is survived by her sons, Allen (and Paula) of Corrales, NM, Willis “Will” (and Karen) of Burtrum, Andrew “Andy” Pearcy Blowers of Jericho, VT; daughter, Marie Dobbins, of Iowa; sister, Carol Neuenfeldt of Anoka; 7 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Blowers; parents, Alfred & Freda Kruger; sisters, Donna (and John) Kohlmeyer, Phyllis (and Martin) Carlson, Margie Kruger; brothers, Tom (and Ann) Kruger, and Jerry (and Shirley) Kruger.

Arrangements by the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall, Minnesota. 507-532-2933 www.hamiltonfh.com.