Joyce Struksnes

Minot

Joyce “Joy” Struksnes, 83, Minot, passed away on Friday, June 5, 2026, in her home.

Joyce Annette Kolberg was born on November 8, 1942, a daughter of Melvin and Joyce (Lund) Kolberg in Pensacola, FL. She moved with her family at a young age to Minot, ND, where she attended Minot Public Schools, graduating in 1960.

Joy met Robert “Bob” Struksnes in the first grade because they lived across the alley from one another. On December 10, 1960, Joy and Bob were united in marriage. They made their home in Minot. The couple raised their four children, Sonja, Heidi, Christ, and Amber. Bob died January 2, 2026.

Joy had a love of animals. There were dogs, fish, birds and a cat in the house while kids were growing up. You would never see her without her yorkies by her side. There were multiple aquariums in the house with fresh water and saltwater fish. She also loved planting flowers in the spring. She would only buy red geraniums.

She had love of football, fast cars and racing. She was ND Bison fan. During the racing days she would drive the truck and trailer across the US with the kids and dogs. Bob would fly into the race. In the pits she was right by Bob’s side deep in oil. She would start the Top Fuel car, after his burn out she would be Bob’s bug guiding him back to starting spot.

Bob became the owner of Truck & Equipment Sales and Service in Minot. He owned and operated this business for over 61 years with Joy working alongside him. His son Christ joined and worked alongside of his dad his entire life. Everyday life was going to work with Bob at Truck & Equipment. She would help him if extra hands were needed in repair of a truck. Her knowledge of parts and billing made them a team for life. Her children were her best friends and talked multiple times throughout the day to each of them. She would say I got to go your dad is coming up front.

She loved the lake and mountains. After racing days were over. Lake life started with children and grandchildren. They would meet for weekends at Pick City. It was decided to end camper life, and they bought the 45′ yacht and named it “Phase II”. Family would gather for years to come; on the boat for weekends. In the late 90’s they decided that they wanted to start a lake home in Garrison on the water. Family gathered to work on their dream home that mimics “Yellowstone”. Bob and Joy would take multiple trips to Montana to gather materials and treasures for this home.

When life slowed down the visits from children and grandchildren filled her heart and as they left, she would blow kisses to them. All cards were always signed with XXX OOO.

Bob and Joy forever!

Joyce was a member of First Lutheran Church, Minot.

Joy is survived by her daughters, Sonja (Kevin) Struksnes Weber, Heidi (Philip) Broderson, and Amber Struksnes; grandchildren, Miranda Struksnes, Ashlee (Landon) Possen, Kaylee Jaensch, MacKenzie Broderson, Casey (Teirney) Jaensch, Nathaniel Ferm, Brandon Broderson, and Kolby Ferm; great-grandchildren, Shaylee, Makayla, and Jayce VanWinkle; Ryker, Braylee, and Kinlee Possen; great-great-greatgrandchild, Brinlee Hagus; sister-in-law, Mary (Rodger) Zurcher, Sheri Kolberg; and numerous nieces, nephews.

Joy was preceded in death by her parents; love of her life Bob, “her only boy” (son) Christ; grandson, Chad VanWinkle; brother Roger Kolberg, sister Jana Knight, sister- in-laws Kathleen Brockey, and brother-in-law Harold Struksnes.

Memorial Service: Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 10:30 am at First Lutheran Church, Minot

Interment: First Lutheran Church Cemetery, Minot Visitation will be on Monday, June 15, 2026, from 5 until 7 pm at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given in Joyce’s memory to Hairball Haven, located at 2105 N. Broadway, or Turtle Mountain Rescue.

The service will be livestreamed for the public to view and can be accessed by going to the First Lutheran Church website: www.firstlutheran.tv

Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).