Joyce Elaine Williamson was born on July 19, 1934 in Minneapolis, Minnesota the daughter of Conrad and Selma (Johnson) Garness. She lived in Minneapolis until the age of 6 when her family moved to Georgetown Township in Polk County, Wisconsin. When she was thirteen her family moved to Apple River Township of Polk County, Wisconsin. She attended the Bunyan School as a child and then graduated from the Balsam Lake High School in 1952. That fall she married her high school sweetheart, Jerry Williamson. Together they had five children. This past October 4th at their home along the Fox Creek and Apple River they celebrated 57 years of marriage. Joyce spent her lifetime farming with her family. In the local nightclubs she was know as a cook. She enjoyed fishing and loved to play cards with family and friends. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Balsam Lake. Joyce died at her home in Apple River Township on Monday evening June 21, 2010 at the age of 75 years.
She was preceded in death by her, 22 year old son Dennis, her parents, brothers: Conrad Jr. (Sonny) and Dale; sisters-in-law Evonne Garness and Ann Whitmer. Left to mourn are her husband Jerry; her children: Barbara Bibeau (Gary), Douglas Williamson (Annette), Bradley Williamson (Denise) , and Thomas Williamson (Tracy); grandchildren: Christopher Williamson (Kayli), Andrew Williamson (Abigail Corbett), Molly Williamson (Joe Loughlin), Lucas Williamson, Melissa Dill (Thomas) Kelly Sobon (Steve), Naomi Williamson, Paige Williamson, Abby Williamson and Bryce Williamson. She also leaves great grandchildren Rylee and Quinn Williamson as well as other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Friday June 25, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Balsam Lake, Wisconsin with interment at the Bunyan Cemetery. Visitation is on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Williamson-White Funeral Chapel in Amery and for the hour prior to services at the church.