Obituary Joyce Severson Barker (Stish)

Joyce Belle Severson Barker (Stish) was born on May 8, 1922 and at the age of 100 she went to join her beloved husband, Dallas A Barker, on his birthday Jan 11, 2023.

Joyce is survived by her daughter, Nancy Stish Fleming, her sister Darlene (Ward) Bunker and Dallas' children, Gary Barker, Steve Barker and Linda Olson. She is also survived by a daughter-in-law, Linda Stish and grandchildren, great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Joyce was predeceased by her parents, Harry and Inga (Teigen) Severson, her husband Dallas A. Barker, a son, Peter E. Stish, her sisters, Helen Huber, Carole Booth, Eunice Vix, and a brother, Quentin Severson.

Joyce was born in Barton, North Dakota but called many places home including North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Arizona. She loved the prairies, the mountains, the desert and the lakes. She graduated from high school in Minot, North Dakota. Following a prior marriage to Eugene Stish she married Dallas Barker and what started as a high school prom date ended with a 51 year marriage. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota at the age of 60 and her love of learning never stopped. She loved to read, all things art, opera and Lawrence Welk. She enjoyed movies particularly the old ones and thought no one could compare to Astaire and Rogers. Joyce was a phenomenal seamstress, baker, and philosopher. She worked during WWII and beyond. Her last and longest employment was as a legal secretary for the Doherty, Rumble and Butler Law firm in St. Paul.

During the last few years Joyce resided with her daughter, Nancy in Custer, South Dakota and then

followed by the Custer Care Center and Seven Sisters Care Center. She and Nancy were always grateful for their loving care and the loving care of Stillwater Hospice.

Joyce will be interned with her husband, Dallas Barker in the Velva Community Cemetery , Velva, North Dakota after the ground warms to welcome them. She will forever hear the songs of the meadowlarks she loved so much.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley's Funeral Home in Custer, SD.