I was saddened to learn yesterday that my former classmate Joy Wieland, now Joy Race, has died. 47 is much too young! I hope her obituary will be posted here soon. Does anyone know what happened? As people often do, Joy and I had lost track of each other over the years, but I was just thinking of her last week, even tried googling with no success as I didn't know her married name.
My sympathies to Joy's family and friends.
Julie (Keech) Wychor

This is the first I have heard of Joy's death. Much too young!!! She was such a kind person. If anyone has any information, please post it.

My thoughts and prayers are with Joy's family and friends.

The Obit was in the Independent this week. A memorial service was held in Arizona on Tuesday. She passed away on November 24th, leaving behind two children. Remember her family in your prayers.

Joy was indeed a very caring special person. She had three boys ages 15, 14 and 11. In speaking with her parents I was able to find out that Joy passed away from lung cancer. Again, she was very much too young. Luckily her family was able to be there with her at the end. I'm sure that will be a help for the trying days ahead. My sympathies are with her family and friends.

softball mom, thanks for sharing that information. I wondered if it was illness, especially at such a young age. How sad for Joy's 3 sons, but it's comforting to know Joy's family was able to be with her at the end. I have a few pictures of Joy that I took when we were in HHS together. I'd love to post them somewhere on here, not sure where or how.

Joy Jona Race - 47
Joy Jona Race was born on April 18, 1961 to Gene and Joan (Hoppe) Wieland at St. Peter, MN. She was baptized on May 21, 1961 and confirmed in her faith at Centennial Lutheran Church in Henderson, on May 18, 1975. Her confirmation verse was I Cor. 6:20. (Ye are brought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.)
A memorial service was held at the Federal Bureau of Prisons at Tucson, AZ on December 2, 2008.
Joy graduated from Henderson High School on May 24, 1979. Joy worked at several jobs and then decided to attend the Ritter Beauty School in Mankato. Upon completion of that course, she became an instructor there. She was co-owner of the Hair Gallary in Henderson. Joy decided she had to move on with her life and attended Mankato State University for a BS degree in nursing, graduating from that college on June 9, 1989. Joy then joined the U.S. Air Force and proudly served her country as a clinical nurse at David Grant Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base in California from 1990 through 1993. She attained the rank of captain in the U.S. Air Force Reserves.
On September 28, 1991 Joy was united in marriage to David M. Race. To this union was born her three sons, Travis, Zachary and Chandler. Her three sons were the love of her life. In 2007, Joy was employed as a RN at the Federal Bureau of Prisons at Tucson, AZ until the present time. She treated everyone with respect, her co-workers and also the inmates.
Joy loved life, the ability to make people laugh with her wit and smile. She always gave 100 percent to whatever she did. Joy loved needlework of all kinds, art and music. She would want us to remember her with a laugh instead of tears. God took her by the hand and lead her to His home on November 24, 2008. Joy was such a great joy to know and love.
To cherish her memories are her children, Travis, Zachary and Chandler Race of Tucson, AZ; her parents, Gene and Joan Wieland of Henderson; her brother, Jay and his wife Pauline Wieland and their children, Amanda and Sean of Le Sueur; her sister, Jessica Uebel and her children, Bryce and Sydnie of Mesa, AZ; and by many relatives and friends.

Prayers to Gene and Joan, and Dave and the boys.