Joyl  D. Friese (Nelson), age 81, of Huron, passed away on Friday, January 13, 2017 at Sunquest Healthcare Center.
Her memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 20, 2017 at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church.

Memorial visitation with the family present will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD at a later date.

Joyl was born on January 30, 1935 in Esmond, SD to Bane and Esther (Windedahl) Nelson. She attended school in Carthage.  After her high school graduation, she attended Northwest College of Commerce in Huron.  She was first employed by Standard Oil in Huron, SD. She was united in marriage to Don Friese on November 16, 1957 at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Huron. They resided in Huron, SD while Don was employed at Braniff Airlines.  They then transferred to Brownsville, TX and later Minneapolis, MN, before returning to Huron, SD.

Joyl loved spending time at the family cabin on Lake Byron and more recently at West Whitlock.  She enjoyed dancing, fishing, family, and friends.  She also cherished travel and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Joyl was also involved in many church functions including choir and children's activities.

Joyl was employed by the Federal Government USGS for 30 years until her retirement. She was very active in the Huron community and was involved in the Legion Auxiliary, Meals on Wheels, Legion Auxiliary Chorus, and the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Choir.  She was also a Voter Poll Election volunteer, and her favorite, as a member of the Red Hat Society.

Joyl was always willing to lend an open ear and a helping hand. She loved to entertain and was especially proud when her family was in attendance.  Whether she was tending to her flowers or assisting with daily tasks, she was always 100 percent committed.

Joyl is survived by one son, Todd (Diane) Friese of Sioux Falls; two daughters, Jody (Doug) Minske of Huron and Jill (Jim) Mehle of Otsego, MN; one brother, Curtis (Judie) Nelson of Otsego, MN; two sister-in-laws, Marvelle (Gayne) Stone of Willmar, MN, and Lorna Friese of Sioux Falls, SD; six grandchildren, Kristin, Jamae, Justine, Derek, Matthew, and Kassie; five great-grandchildren,  Billy, Presley, Henry, Josephine, and Daweslyn, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Joyl was preceded in death by her husband Donald D. Friese in July of 2016 ; her parents Bane and Esther Nelson; and her brother-in-law, John Friese of Sioux Falls, SD.