I recently had the chance to visit with long time local resident Joyce Gilyard. My plan was to visit Joyce at her home over coffee. The Coronavirus put a stop to that! I was still able to have a wonderful chat with Joyce over the phone.

Joyce Marie Gilyard was born in Princeton on March 8, 1930 to William and Birdie Hedstrom. She was raised on a farm 5 miles west of Dalbo, MN.

Joyce married Austen Dominic Gilyard March 14, 1953 at South Santiago Lutheran Church. After getting married, Joyce and Austen moved to a farm northwest of Palmer, where they milked cows and farmed for over 50 years.
Joyce and Austen raised their family: Marcy (1953), Kermit (1955), Carol (1958), Nancy (1963) and Dwight (1965).

Joyce lost her parents (William and Birdie Hedstrom) at the age of 33, when they were in a tragic car accident involving a milk truck. The accident happened around the time Joyce gave birth to daughter Nancy in 1963. Women weren’t allowed to leave the hospital for a few days after giving birth, causing her to miss her parents’ funerals.

In addition to milking cows alongside Austen, Joyce worked full time at Fridgidaire in St. Cloud. She always fixed old appliances that didn’t work and worked on cars and farm equipment. In today’s world, Joyce may have been an engineer.

Joyce is an amazing seamstress and sewed clothing for her children. At the age of 90, people still bring wedding dresses for her to alter.

Joyce is an outstanding cook.

She had a huge garden and taught her children to cook, including the boys in the family. Her son Kermit stocks her freezer with his delicious homemade soups.

Joyce earned many blue and purple ribbons for her quilt making.

Joyce enjoyed farm work. She was especially fond of baby calves. Her sisters often came to the farm and butchered chickens.

When the children were growing up, after the chores were done, the Gilyard family would load the car with cane poles and go fishing at the Bayou near Briggs Lake. Joyce would fry up the fish in her famous beer batter. Other family favorites included Joyce’s famous Swedish pancakes and homemade syrup. Joyce told me with pride that all of her grandparents came from Sweden. An interesting tidbit - Joyce and Austen loved lutefisk and lefse, although their children do not share that affection.

Joyce’s daughter Carol shared: “Mom made special scrapbooks for each of us kids and they are a treasure. She was such a patient, loving mother and always supportive of everything we did in life.”

It was widely known that Joyce has a wonderful sense of humor and quick wit, which has surely come in handy over the past 90 years!

Joyce and Austen built a patio home near the original farm about 20 years ago, which Joyce still calls home. Austen passed away in 2006 and their grandson Mike purchased the farm.

Joyce enjoys spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Joyce enjoys playing cards and quilting. Her daughters and a group of relatives and friends get together every few months and quilt (Sip and Stitch).

Joyce recently celebrated 90 years. Despite having many grandchildren, Joyce knows every one of them for how unique they each are. She delights in all of her children and grandchildren.

Joyce’s daughter Carol says: “My favorite thing about mom is her passion for life and happiness, whether it be enjoying her family, quilting, cooking or fishing!”

Joyce’s daughter Nancy says: “My mom is an amazing woman! She has always inspired me. When we were young, she worked full time in a factory, planted a huge garden and made sure the cows were milked. We always had clean clothes to wear and scrumptious meals to eat. Despite all the hard work she did, life with Mom was (and is) always fun. She is very funny and quick witted! Growing up, she read us books, played games, and encouraged us in every way. She has a heart of gold, and could never resist helping anyone who was struggling in any manner.”

Joyce’s daughter-in-law, Debbie, (married to Joyce’s son Kermit) says: “ Joyce is never judgemental, an awesome listener and great friend. She is gifted in many ways. For example, she is really good with math, yet also very creative (sewing, cutting out paper dolls from newspapers for kids, or folding hats out of newspaper, crafts at Christmas time). During her recent hospital stay for pneumonia at age 90, the staff members commented how they loved Joyce’s attitude because she always does what she can for herself when she is able and she never complains!”

Lee Gilyard (brother to Austen) shared these sentiments about Joyce (his sister-in-law): “Joyce has always been a beautiful lady. She is so easy going and was always a great host when we would visit. She has always been very ambitious.”

Joyce spends as much time as possible with her sisters (Anna Mae, Grace and June). Her siblings Jeanette, Willie, Gen and Kenneth have passed away.

Joyce has accomplished so much and blessed scores of people in her 90 years. She is authentic and inspiring. Joyce continues to stay active and make a difference. What a wonderful example she provides!