Joy Struck

Joy Carol (Anthony) Struck, age 77 of rural St. Peter, passed peacefully into her heavenly home on Sunday, July 19, 2026 surrounded by her loving sons and daughters-in-law.

Funeral service will be 11:00am Friday, July 24, 2026 at Norseland Lutheran Church, Norseland. Visitation will be 5:00-7:00pm Thursday, July 23 and 10:00am Friday all at the church. Memorials are preferred to Norseland Lutheran Church or Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School.

The youngest of three children, Joy was born on December 19, 1948, to Raymond and Marion (Dranttel) Anthony. Joy was baptized into eternal salvation and confirmed in her faith at Norseland Lutheran Church, where she remained a lifelong member. She faithfully served her church community and remained actively involved throughout her life.

Joy completed her elementary schooling at Norseland Lutheran Church’s parochial school and was a graduate of Nicollet High School. She continued her education at the University of Minnesota studying Home Economics. She made many lifelong friends and stayed connected to them in the long-standing social group in which they simply called “Home Ec”.

As a young girl, Joy was a proud member of the Norseland 4-H Club. She later volunteered many hours with the same club when her sons became members. Many of the skills and interests she developed in her youth stayed with her throughout her life. She was a talented seamstress, making her own wedding dress, and later mending the clothing and countless holes worn into the pants of her boys.

On October 17, 1970, she was united in marriage to Lydell “Fred” Struck. Together they built a life on their beloved "farm" north of St. Peter, where they raised their three sons.

Throughout her working years, Joy held a variety of jobs. She especially enjoyed her time working at The Bookmark at Gustavus Adolphus College. However, Joy spent the majority of her time working alongside and supporting her husband, Fred. They took great pride in serving their community for over 40 years through Traverse des Sioux Garden Center.

True to her name, Joy brought happiness wherever she went. Her warm smile, outgoing personality, and joyful spirit touched the lives of countless family members, friends, customers, and neighbors.

In her later years, Joy faced the difficult journey of dementia with remarkable grace and quiet courage. Even as the disease progressed, her trademark smile and gentle chuckle continued to shine through. Her family is especially grateful for the compassionate care she received from the staff at Ecumen Prairie Hill Memory Care in St. Peter. Their kindness and dedication brought comfort to Joy and her loved ones.

Joy was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Fred; her parents, Raymond and Marion; her brother, Larry Anthony; her sister, Sally Taylor; and her in-laws Elmer and Lorraine (Gunderson) Struck.

She is survived by her sons, Karl (Laura) Struck and their children Porter, Sophia, and Penelope, Oren (Julissa) Struck, and Keith (Anna) Struck; brother-in-law, Donald Taylor; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Anthony, Janice Lutz, and Marlene (Dan) Swearingen; nieces, nephews, and many dear friends and employees.

Blessed be her memory in our midst!