Joyce June Mehrkens

Joyce June Mehrkens, 84, died Wednesday in Red Wing. She was born November 8, 1923 in Red Wing, Minnesota, the daughter of Charles and Susan (Fanslow) Cordes. They lived in West Florence Township, then in Wells Creek where she attended District 21 school. She was a 1941 graduate of Red Wing Central High School. She married Lawrence "Lorny" Mehrkens on February 16, 1946 at First United Methodist Church Parsonage. She worked at Northwestern Bell, Marigold Dairy and Jefferson Elementary School. Lorny died February 16, 1990, on their 44th Wedding Anniversary. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church, where in 2006 she received the Special Mission Recognition from the United Methodist Women. She was a member of PEO. Joyce enjoyed golf, bridge, dancing and was a volunteer for many community organizations, including the American Cancer Society.

Survivors include three children, Jane Mehrkens of Eden Prairie, Nancy (Robert) Steblay of Tonka Bay and Lee (Susan) Mehrkens of Vadnais Heights; four grandchildren: Jenny Hauschildt, Drew and Brynn Steblay and Christina Mehrkens; five siblings, Irene Olson, Fern Feindt, Ray (Marian) Cordes, Wayne (Georgene) Cordes and Robin (Richard) Burkard; many nieces and nephews; devoted friend Dick Gustafson and countless life-long friends.

Funeral will be 11 a.m. Saturday, at First United Methodist Church with Reverend Wayne Walther officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 p.m. to 7 p. m. Friday at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and on Saturday for one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorial are preferred to the donor's choice.