Joyce Maxine (Witt) Hendrickson, 80, Minot, died peacefully Thursday morning, January 5, 2017, in a Minot nursing home.

Born August 20, 1936, Joyce, a Minot native, spent most of her life in Minot with her husband, LaVerne Hendrickson. Joyce and Laverne united in marriage on January 22, 1955. Later they adopted their two sons, Andrew and Mark, from Lutheran Social Services in Fargo, ND in 1961 and 1964.

Their almost-62-year marriage kept them supporting each other through sickness and in health. Joyce's health declined over the past few years, but LaVerne was by her side until the very end always providing love and care.

Joyce was a well-known artist in Minot and across the Midwest. Through the years, she taught classes at Edison Elementary, Minot State College for Walter Piehl, and voluntarily taught painting to local community members.

Traveling to art shows across the Midwest allowed Joyce to see much of the country and share her art. Operating as "Originals by Joyce", she was able to sell her art in the United States, Canada, Europe and even Africa. She was also a three-time winner of the Bell Telephone Calendar Art Contest.

Creating art was not her only hobby; she loved to collect and admire. Her interest in various artistic hobbies allowed her to enjoy the creative works of others.

Art was not a job for Joyce. It was her passion. It was her life. Art brought not only color to her life but friendships. Each Thursday afternoon for many years Joyce and her closest friends gathered in her home to paint, chat and create. This continued when Joyce moved to Trinity Homes. As it is reflected in her work, she explored many art mediums watercolor, oil painting, copper enameling, china painting, sculpting and more but watercolors were her recent specialty.

Her family described Joyce as a resilient spirit, spitfire attitude, humorous, and exceptionally creative. She was extremely loved and will forever be missed.

Joyce is survived by her husband, LaVerne Hendrickson, Minot; sons, Andrew Hendrickson, Temecula, CA, Mark Hendrickson and spouse Paula Selland, Lafayette, CO; granddaughters (daughters of Mark and Paula): Dr. Sarah Hendrickson and fianc Zac Eichmeyer, Seattle, WA, Katie and Sean O'Connell, Maple Valley, WA, and Emily Hendrickson, Fort Collins, CO; sisters, Shirley Witt, Billings, MT , Patricia and Ken Torgerson, Lambert, MT and niece, Beth Torgerson, Spokane, WA, and nephew, Lewis Torgerson, Kempner, Texas.

Joyce was preceded in death by her loving parents, Peter and Ethel (Holmgren) Witt.

A graveside service will be held later in the summer at Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
At her request, there will not be a viewing, however, friends and family can sign a memorial register book on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Lutheran Social Services, Fargo or Minot Arts Council, Minot.