PIERRE, SD –

Joyce Gwendolyn Norman, a spirited and adventurous soul, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2023, in Kennewick, WA, at the age of 96. Joyce was born on July 27, 1927, in Miller, SD, to Dan and Bertha (Sanders) Melvin. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00pm, Monday, January 8, 2024 at Feigum Funeral Home with visitation an hour prior, 1:00-2:00pm. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Pierre.

Joyce’s early years were filled with the joys and challenges of growing up in a bustling household with nine siblings. Her childhood was marked by numerous adventures along the picturesque Missouri River east of Pierre, where she developed a lifelong love for the outdoors and the simple pleasures of rural life.

Joyce’s passion for education was evident from a young age. After attending school in Canning, she chose to give back to her community by becoming a teacher there. Her dedication to her students and her love for teaching were hallmarks of her early career. It was during this time that Joyce’s life was graced with love and partnership. She married Evan Clark on August 16, 1947, and together they welcomed their daughter, Diana, in 1951. Though Evan’s untimely passing on June 25, 1952, brought great sorrow, Joyce’s resilience shone through as she continued to teach and provide for her daughter.

Joyce’s heart found room for love once more when she met Clarence “Snookie” Norman. They married on May 14, 1954, and were blessed with a son, Danny. The family made their home on the Allen Towne ranch north of Midland, SD, where Joyce’s influence extended beyond her own children to the many she taught and mentored. Her service on the school board was a testament to her commitment to education and the well-being of the community’s youth.

In 1966, Joyce, Snookie, and Danny embarked on a new chapter as they moved to Kennewick, WA. Diana remained in South Dakota to complete her high school education, staying with Dorothy and Lawrence Hewlett. In Kennewick, Joyce found a new avenue for her caring nature, working with the Benton Franklin Health District for 25 years. Her dedication to public health and the well-being of her community was unwavering throughout her career.

Joyce’s community involvement did not end with her professional life. She was an active member of the United First Methodist Church, where she found spiritual fulfillment and fellowship. Her membership in the Eagles Club allowed her to indulge in her love for dancing and socializing with friends, activities that brought her immense joy and laughter.

Joyce’s legacy is carried on by her loving family, including her daughter Diana and husband Gordon Hettinger, their children Melissa (Don) Churchill, Jayson Sherer (Amanda), Justin Sherer (Libby), and Ross Hettinger (Tara). Her son Danny and his daughters Danelle (Shafer), Laura Sahar, and Marissa (Destiney) also survive her. Joyce was a cherished matriarch to seven grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren, all of whom will miss her deeply.

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