Joy Lynette Severson, age 81, of Prescott, formerly of Red Wing, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, at Regina Hospital in Hastings. Joy was born on Oct. 23, 1942, at her home on Bush Street in Red Wing, the daughter of Harold and Vera (Scherf) Boatman. She attended grade school at Colville School in Red Wing before the family moved to Wisconsin, where she attended a one-room country school, Drake School in rural Ellsworth. She furthered her schooling by graduating from Ellsworth High School in the class of ‘60. She was united in marriage to Don Severson on June 8, 1963, at Moeville Bethel Covenant Church in rural Ellsworth. This union was further blessed with two children, Steve and Lori. Don and Joy spent their entire 60 years of marriage in Prescott and were members of Prescott United Church of Christ. Joy worked in the payroll department for 3M Cottage Grove for 35 years which brough her many accomplishments.
Joy was through and through a wife, mom, and grandma. She thoroughly loved it, and being surrounded by family was her greatest fulfillment. Family dinners and celebrating Christmas were most memorable. Popcorn balls, Christmas cookies, and Chex mix were always plentiful. One of her favorite pastimes that she looked forward to was playing bridge with her close friends in Prescott. She also had many memories with her sister Becky putting jigsaw puzzles together. Joy enjoyed a quiet day at home, whether reading a Danielle Steel or Diane Chamberlin book or watching the Western channel and even The Big Bang Theory!
Joy will forever remain in the hearts of her husband, Don; children, Lori Friedl of Prescott and Steve Severson of Prescott; grandchildren, Amanda Friedl, Tyler Severson, Rachel Friedl, Trevor Friedl, Leah (Jim) Hughes; great-grandchildren, Mason, Olivia, Mallory, Benjamin; siblings, Stan (Hazel) Boatman, Nancy Chapman, Rebecca Boatman, sister-in-heart Charlotte Clark, and her many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and brothers David, infant Paul, and Sterling.
A Celebration of Life for Joy Severson was held on Wednesday, Nov. 29, from 3- 6 p.m. at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Prescott. Private burial will take place in Pine Glen Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the discretion of the family. Memorial and cremation services are entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Prescott.
