Joyce L. Berger, 70, Dickinson, died Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, Minn. Joyce’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1 p.m., Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Dickinson with Fr. Todd Kreitinger as Celebrant. Interment will follow at the Dickinson Cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson. There will be a rosary & vigil at 7 p.m., Monday at Ladbury Funeral Service, with Deacon Ron Keller presiding.

Joyce L. Berger was born February 29, 1940 in Halliday to Arthur and Lila (Johnson) McNamara. She was raised in the Halliday area and went on to attend Dickinson State Teachers’ College and North Dakota State University.

On February 1, 1964 Joyce married Richard M. Berger at St Patrick’s Catholic Church. Joyce taught elementary school for 27 years and had an uncanny knack for remembering nearly every one of her students’ names. She took early retirement from teaching to help care for and spend time with Richard.

Joyce had many interests through the years including writing, gardening, scrapbooking, crocheting, sewing, traveling with her family and most of all, her grandchildren. She enjoyed spending time with her retired teacher friends socializing and advancing literacy in SW North Dakota.
Joyce was a member of St Patrick’s Church and an avid reader. She loved current affairs and was passionately patriotic. She was tenacious and loyal with a tremendously kind heart.

Just as she lived every day, she waged a passionate and staunch battle to recover from open-heart surgery. During her three month fight, she demonstrated grace, dignity and determination beyond compare. Approximately 2 weeks before she passed, when asked by a therapist one word to describe how she was feeling, she said, “Grateful”.

Joyce’s biggest concern during her hospitalization was always Richard’s well being. In Joyce’s honor, to ensure Richard’s ongoing care, a memorial fund has been set up at Bank of the West. Memorials can be sent to: The Joyce Berger Memorial Fund, c/o Bank of the West, 150 West Villard, Dickinson ND 58601.

Joyce is survived by her mother Lila McNamara; the love of her life, Richard; four children, Angela Meloy, Danville Ill., Jim (Gayle) Berger, Dickinson, Mary (Dan) Huse, Woodbury Minn., Susan (Chris) Wilkins, Minneapolis Minn. as well as six grandchildren; Brittany Marie and Beth Marie Berger, Calvin Richard Huse, Lillian Joyce, Hadley Charlotte and Finley Lila Wilkins.

She was preceded in death by her father Arthur and sister Patricia.