Obituary - Joyce Ann Ellen Borlaug

Joyce Ann Ellen Borlaug, affectionately known as "Granny," 77, passed away Sunday, January 2, 2022, surrounded by her family at the Peace Hospice House in Great Falls, Montana.

Services will be held Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at 1:00 p.m., at the Fifth Avenue Christian Church in Havre with Pastor Megan Hoewisch officiating. A private burial will be held Wednesday morning prior to the service at the South Gildford Cemetery.

Joyce was born June 26, 1944, in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, to Selmer and Olga Anderson. She attended Oakley Elementary Grade School until she was 10 years old. She moved with her family out west settling on the Hi-Line in Hingham, Montana. Joyce attended Hingham Schools - "Go Rangers" - for her remaining education, graduating from high school in 1962 as valedictorian of her class. She then continued her education at the University of North Dakota, "Fighting Sioux," graduating with her bachelor's degree in elementary education.

She taught at various locations before settling back in Montana to marry Monty Borlaug. The couple married in Reno, Nevada, on March 15, 1969. They built their home south of Gildford and raised three children, Brenda, Travis and Shane. They enjoyed making memories with their children through farming, camping trips and supporting them throughout their sporting careers in high school.

Joyce was so very proud of her three children and the lives they have built. While the children kept Joyce very busy, she also found time to enjoy her artistic side by doing ceramics, stained glass and rosemaling along with her frequent thrift shopping adventures and bowling league.

Joyce was a model farm wife who enjoyed cooking for her family and over the years shared many of her favorite recipes with her children and grandchildren. No one could resist a doughnut made by Granny! Joyce looked forward to spending her time with her grandchildren whether she was babysitting or attending the many sporting events they were involved in. Joyce was proud to be called "Granny" by many inside the gym and out. She made countless memories with her grandchildren with sleep-overs, train rides, camping, harvest meals, as well as trips to Disney Land and Minnesota that they will treasure forever.

After retiring from the farm, Joyce and Monty spent the winters in Yuma, Arizona. Joyce filled her days in Yuma playing bingo, enjoying potlucks and being a member of the Red Hat Society. They were known for their spur of the moment trips to Yuma to check on their winter home during the mid-summer heat. While home in Montana during the summers, Joyce and Monty often took drives to Canada for pizza or to enjoy a farm show.

Joyce is survived by her three children, Brenda (Dave) McMaster of Chinook; Travis (Maria) Borlaug and Shane Borlaug (DaNelle Bakke), all of Gildford; her brother Ordean (Sharon) Anderson of New Prague, MN, grandchildren, Mikenda Seymour (Taylor Schipman), Alissa (Paul) McClendon, Lane Seymour (Cass Wetzel), Keevan Borlaug (Shelby Wolery), Shayla Borlaug, RaLea (Cody) Harbrige, Jaque McMaster (Levi Blankenship), Heather McMaster (Howard Juneau) and Jace McMaster; brother and sister-in-law Roger and Sharon Borlaug, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and five great-grandchildren with one more to arrive in February 2022!

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Monty, in September of 2019 and one nephew, Kurt Anderson.

Memorial contributions in Joyce's honor may be made to Peace Hospice P.O. Box 7008 Great Falls, MT 59405 or to the Hill County Foundation "Plant A Seed ... READ!" P.O. Box 782 Havre, Montana 59501 or to a memorial of one's choice. Please visit Joyce's online memorial to send a card or leave a message of condolence for the family at hhtp://www.hollandbonine.com .