March 20, 1929-Oct. 14, 2009

Joyce Darlene Schoenborn, 80, Watford City, died Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009, at the Good Shepherd Care Center in Watford City.

She was born March 20, 1929, to Harris and Clara (Pollack) Eymann in Fargo.

Joyce was raised in the home of her parents near Kenmare and graduated from Kenmare High School. She completed her education at Minot Teachers College, earning her teaching certificate. Following college she taught in the Copperdahl Hill Township School and at the Denbigh School. On Dec. 26, 1947, she was united in marriage to John Sidney Swearson in Minot. Following their marriage, the couple made their home south of Towner in Copperdahl Township and later moved to Granville where they owned and operated Johnny's Standard Oil. In 1961, the couple purchased the Vermadahl ranch south of Denbigh. In addition to being a wife, mother, homemaker and rancher with John, she had a rural cream route, picking up the cream and delivering it to the Mandan Creamery in Minot. John died Dec. 14, 1974. Shortly after his death, Joyce moved to Towner.

In Towner, Joyce worked at the Coast-to-Coast Hardware store, met and got engaged to Paul Prellwitz of Willow City. Sadly, Paul died suddenly before they were married. On Sept. 3, 1976, she was wed to Arthur Schoenborn in Minot. The couple made their home in Willow City following their marriage. Joyce worked at the Willow City Farm Supply store there. In 1981, they moved to Minot and Joyce went to work at the B & B Drug Store. The couple moved to Towner in 1984, where Joyce took employment at Wolf's Market and stayed there until retirement. Being an active and people person, Joyce operated a Tupperware distributorship for several years after retiring. Arthur died June 3, 1991. Following his death, Joyce remained in Towner taking care of her mother and aunt until their deaths. Due to the onset of Alzheimer's, Joyce moved to the Good Shepherd Care Center in Watford City in 2003.

She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and its WELCA in Towner and the local TOPS group. When not working or providing care to others, she loved to dance, was an avid reader and an accomplished seamstress, and greatly enjoyed cooking, baking, canning and attending her flower and vegetable gardens. During hunting season, Joyce was always the camp cook and even hunted a few times.

Survivors include: two sons, Halmer Swearson of Watford City and Kevin Swearson of Whitehall, Mont.; five grandchildren, Jeremiah (Deanna) Swearson, Spring Swearson, Tammy (David) Horst, Shelby Swearson and Tyler Swearson; eight great-grandchildren; one brother, Vernon (Rose) Eymann of Kenmare; other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her two husbands and her parents.

Memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer's Association or to the donor's choice.

Funeral services will be Monday at 10:30 a.m. in Zion Lutheran Church in Towner with burial in the Melankton Icelandic Cemetery in rural Upham. Mr. Wally Fretland, officiating.

Friends may call from today from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home in Towner and for one hour prior to the time of services at the church on Monday.

Organist: Elaine Hendrickson

Casket Bearers: Harry Nelson, Billy Swearson, Tyler Swearson, Shelby Swearson, Jeremiah Swearson and Larry Heinrich

Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home of Towner.