Joyce Brey

Minot

Joyce Eileen (Strain) Brey, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and schoolteacher, passed away Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at the age of 90, surrounded by her loving family.

Joyce was born in Minot, on April 26, 1935, to Floyd and Laura (Meland) Strain. She was raised in the Minot area, where she attended Zion Lutheran Church and graduated from Minot High School in 1953.

She went on to attend Minot State Teachers College, where she received her Standard Teaching Certificate in 1955.

She taught in Velva, ND, for the following two years. During this time, she married Warren Randall Brey on December 30, 1956, in her family’s church. Warren deployed to Kitzingen, Germany, in the new year, and Joyce followed soon after.

While stationed in Germany, the newlyweds traveled extensively across Europe, developing a deep love for travel. Upon their retirement, the couple returned to Europe in 1990.

After returning to the U.S., Joyce and Warren welcomed a daughter, Trudee, followed by two sons, Raymond and Stacy. Joyce was lucky enough to stay at home with her young family.

In 1966, Joyce returned to Minot State College and obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education.

In the fall of 1969, she began her teaching career at Edison Elementary School, where she remained for 20 years. She was a beloved teacher, often receiving hugs and kind words from former students and their parents throughout her life.

Joyce was active in her school, church, and community. She was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, Kappa Delta Gamma, and a charter member of Nu Chapter (Professional Teachers Association), where she served as Vice President.

At First Lutheran Church, she enjoyed serving on the Deaconess Board. Though she chose to become a teacher, Joyce had a love for business and worked briefly for the Peterson Collection Agency and Westlie Motor Company. She also served on the board of the Teacher’s Alumni Association.

Throughout her life, Joyce was an adventurer. As a child, she and her brother Marlow would practice acrobatics on their horses, pretending to perform in the circus.

In the early 50’s, Joyce bought her first pair of water skis, and with her father at the wheel of the family’s boat on Lake Metigoshe, she taught herself to water ski. In the mid-1960s, Joyce started taking flying lessons. She loved the freedom of being in the air.

After retirement, Joyce and Warren were fortunate to spend over 30 years wintering in the South, with most of their time spent in Laughlin, NV, near her sister, Floy, and her brother-in-law, Roger.

In retirement, her favorite hobbies included bridge, Scrabble, and bingo, which she enjoyed with an expansive group of friends. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her precious family and playing with her grandchildren. A classroom was always set up in Joyce and Warren’s basement for the grandkids to play “school.” Her grandchildren benefited from the time spent with their loving grandmother, and they will never forget the lessons taught to them.

Joyce will forever be remembered for her childlike spirit, gentle nature, and love for Christ, which she shared with all.

Joyce is survived by her daughter Trudee (Jon) Johnson, Texas; and sons Raymond (Mary Ann), Nevada; and Stacy (Tonya), Minot. Grandchildren: Lauren (Richard) Sparacin, Washington; Philip (Andrea) Johnson, Massachusetts; Morgan (Sandro) Lione, Japan; Ashley Brey, Wisconsin; Sydnee Brey, Oregon; Casey, Trystan and Caden, Minot. Great Grandchildren: Camilla and Simona Lione and Lincoln Johnson. Sister: Shirley Frey, Wisconsin. Sister-in-law: Ardie Strain, Wisconsin. Brother-in-law: John Brey, Minot. Along with many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband of 66 1/2 years, Warren, and her parents and in-laws, Raymond & Esther (Lunden) Brey. Siblings: Judith Strain (infant), Marlowe Strain, Floy Huizenga, Karen Laign. Brothers-in-law: Roger Huizenga, Ronald Laign, Devane Langseth, and Robert Frey. Along with her niece Shannon Laign and nephew Randy Laign.

Celebration of Life: Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 2 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Minot.

Memorials may be sent to Shriners Hospital, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, and The Lord’s Cupboard by visiting their webpages.

Published by The Minot Daily News, July 10, 2025.