Joyce A. Olson died, at age 82, on July 22,2017 after a brave struggle with cancer. She was born on July 12, 1935 in rural Ryder, North Dakota. She is the daughter of Anton and Fern Kolden.

Educating children was her calling in life. Joyce began her teaching career at age 19 in a small rural school house in Torning Township, 10 miles south of Minot. She went on to graduate from Minot State Teachers College. She married Harlan Olson of Roseglen, ND after graduating. They settled in Parshall, ND in 1957 where she was a third grade teacher and was named principal of the new elementary school.
In 1963 Joyce moved to Las Vegas and signed a teaching contract. Harlan and Joyce divorced in 1969. Joyce remained in Las Vegas as a teacher for Clark County School District where she helped children develop their potential for over 45 years. Joyce returned to North Dakota in 2011 to be closer to her sisters and brother.

Joyce is survived by her son, Gregory Olson; daughter-in-law, Melissa Olson; three grandchildren, Cameron, Zachary, and Lauren; sisters Sandra Rue and Lorraine Forsman, and her brother Ronald Kolden.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 29, 2017, 1:00pm at Lucky Mound Lutheran Church in Plaza, ND.