Joyce Dunn

Joyce Van Guilder Dunn

September 1, 1934 to February 19, 2024

Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Aunt and Sister. Joyce was devoted to her Catholic religion. Joyce was born on September 1, 1934 in LeSueur, MN to Lawrence Nicholis Clemen and Florence Guertin Clemen. Her maternal grandmother was Maggie McGraw whose parents came from Ireland making St. Patrick's Day special in Joyce's life beside her 2nd marriage to Daniel Dunn, a true Irishman. Joyce moved from LeSueur to Mankato for a brief time, then moved to St. Paul graduating from then Wilson High School in 1952 where she was recognized for her business skills and her wit and sense of humor! Her main interests were business management and journalism. In 1956, she married Gene Van Guilder. They had three children: Gayle Marie, Gregg Joseph, and Gary Eugene. They resided in Little Canada, Gervais Lake neighborhood, spending many hours on their houseboat on the St. Croix River. Gene passed away in 1998 from a sudden heart attack. Joyce worked for the MN State Senate for 28 years retiring in 1999. She served as Legislative Assistant Director, Office Manager, and Executive Secretary. In her retirement years she worked for Lillie Suburban Newspapers where she had the opportunity to enjoy journalism talents. Joyce loved decorating, flower gardening, boating, writing, and taking care of grandchildren. She was active in the St. Paul Winter Carnival becoming interested in 1955 as a princess, then serving in many different roles in the Women's Division in the 1970's and 1980's. In 2006 she was reunited with Daniel Dunn whom she had known and admired when attending dances in the 1950's sponsored by the YWCA Club with No Name. They married in 2007. They spent many winters at their home in Sun City Florida until Dan's death in 2021. Joyce spent her final years at Carefree Apartments in Maplewood. Joyce was preceded in death by her step-grandchildren, Jacob Daniel Hames and Mikaela Marie Hames. She is survived by her children; Gayle Thompson (Bill), Gregg Van Guilder (Patti), Gary Van Guilder (Jeanne); grandchildren, Chris Thompson, Kaitlyn Thompson Buffkin (Adam), Joseph Van Guilder, Joshua Van Guilder (Kayla), Wesley Van Guilder, Madeline Van Guilder; great-grandchildren, Aayden Van Guilder, Braxton Van Guilder, and Emily Buffkin; sister, Madonna Olson; and many nieces and nephews; stepchildren and their families, Maureen Hames (Jerry), Donald Dunn (Laurie), Sheila Woodruff (Jim), and Colleen Loughney (John); step-grandchildren, Josh Hames (Bekah), Cody Hames, , Brittney Dunn, Brianna O'Neill (Patrick), Alyssa Dunn, Sean Loughney (Esther), Dan Loughney; step great-grandchildren, Janessa Hames,Summer Hames, and Skyler Hames. Funeral Mass to be held On Friday June 21, 2024 at Transfiguration Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 9:30am to 10:30 am with mass beginning at 10:30am. A funeral procession and luncheon will follow the service. More details to come.