Joyce A. Whitehead, 90 of Devils Lake, ND died on Monday, October 12, 2026, at Bethany Retirement Living in Fargo, ND.

There will be visitation on Friday, October 16, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake. The Funeral Service for Joyce will be on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Pastor Lonnie Wilkerson officiating. There will be a time of fellowship in the church dining hall following the funeral.

Joyce will be laid to rest at Trinity-Bergan Cemetery, rural Starkweather.

Serving as Casket Bearers will be Joyce’s grandchildren. Honorary Bearers will be Ernest Knudson, Gary Anderson, Larry Erickson, Rodney Erickson, Pete Peterson and in memoriam Keith Soiseth.

Music will be provided by grandson Billy Schnase, accompanied by Ann Houck, congregational hymns with Brenda Swenseth, pianist.

Joyce Ann Knudson, daughter of Bjarne and Anne (Mellin) Knudson was born on September 27, 1936, at Devils Lake, North Dakota. She was raised on the family farm near Fort Totten, ND, where the family later welcomed Joyce’s brother, John.

She graduated in 1953 from high school in Oberon, ND. The following year, she attended business school in Minneapolis, MN. Through the years, Joyce had a variety of jobs that included: Civil Service Clerk, Chair-Side Dental Assistant, owner and manager of the Cameo Craft and Gift Store in the Log Junction, Devils Lake, and in the later years as a respite caregiver.

Joyce was united in marriage to Frank L. Whitehead on November 16, 1957, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. They shared their wonderful life together for 52 years before Frank passed away on July 8, 2010. They made their home in various states where Frank was employed. During these years, they were blessed with four children. In 1985, Joyce and Frank moved back to the Devils Lake area where she lived out the rest of her life.

Many will remember Joyce for her sense of humor which was a strong trait in her family. Together Joyce and Frank enjoyed dancing, bowling, fishing, camping, and traveling. Joyce enjoyed crafting, painting, sewing, photography, cooking, and entertaining.

Joyce’s faith was important to her, and this was shown through involvement in Women’s Circles, as a confirmation and Sunday School teacher, and serving on the church council. Joyce was especially proud of assisting her circle groups with projects such as putting together the baby layette sets, sewing the turbans and scarves for cancer patients.

Her most precious passion was her family and friends. She especially adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Joyce is survived by her children: Ann (Dana) Houck of Faribault, MN, Maria (Layne) Koch of Webster, ND, William (Kim) Whitehead of Mayer, MN and Laurel Schnase of Anamoose, ND; twelve grandchildren Adam (Ann) Houck, Mattias (Becky) Houck, Christopher (fiancée Beccfa) Houck, Jenna Houck; Joshua (Beverly) Koch, Kristina (Michael) Atkinson; Ryan (significant other Abby) Whitehead, Megan (fiancé Logan) Whitehead, Natalie (fiancé Kaleb) Whitehead; Cassidy (Patricia) Schnase, William (Denise0 Schnase, Amanda (Branden) Bott; twelve great grandchildren Lucas, Mia, Miles, Aaron, Jason, Wyatt, Evelyn, Sophia, Wade, Connor, Gus, Arlo and brother John (his late wife, Penelope) Knudson, Penn, ND, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Frank, her parents, Bjarne and Anne Knudson, son-in-law Clem Schnase, and several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

Joyce’s life was enriched with many friendships over the years, and recently with her Branding Iron Family and assisted living friends.