PIERRE, SD – Joycelyn (Hertel) Pietrus, 99, died on November 6, 2024, at Avantara Norton, Sioux Falls, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00am, Friday, November 15, 2024 at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Pierre, SD. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Joycelyn, the 2nd youngest of nine children, was born September 3, 1925, to Henry Sr. and Eleonora (Ries) Hertel on the family farm near Onida SD. Joycelyn attended elementary school at the Blaine County School that her dad helped build, and the Catholic school in Polo, SD. Joycelyn graduated from Onida High School in 1944. The Summer after graduation, Joycelyn moved to California, living with her 2nd oldest sister, Beatrice Hertel Howard, and worked in a factory as part of the WWII effort. She returned to the family farm in 1946.

After meeting her future husband Leo at a dance in Blunt, Joycelyn and Leo were united in marriage April 20, 1948, at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Blunt, SD. They made their home on Joycelyn’s family farm until moving to Pierre in 1950. To their union they were blessed with four children; Chuck, Cheryl, Steve, and Mary Joelle.

Joycelyn was a life-long Catholic, being baptized, confirmed, and married in the Holy Ghost Church in Blunt. When her and Leo moved to Pierre, Joycelyn became a member of Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church where she belonged to the Catholic Daughters, St. James Band, and Alter Society.

Joycelyn will be remembered for her large vegetable garden and flowers, that with the help of her son Steve and daughter-in-law Susan, she maintained until 2020. She was very proud of the canning she was able to do for herself and extended family, and for the money she saved by having a garden. Joycelyn and Leo also had several cats and dogs over the years. Her cats Pinochle Sue, and April kept Joycelyn company after Leo passed.

Joycelyn is survived by her loving son, Steve (Susan) and their sons Andrew (Hilary) Pietrus and their children Maxwell, August and Sophie Joy, ; and Cory (Morgan) Pietrus and their children Kristina, Henry, Kloee, Matthew and Avree Lyn. Son, Chuck (Sharon) Pietrus along with their children Jesse Barker, and Lori Blake (Steve) and children Cole and Allie. Son-in Law, Clarence Gloe (widower of Cheryl Pietrus Gloe) and their children Cristina Baumgartner (Sean) and their children Alec, Brenna and Cade; and Callie Shaffer (Dave) and their children Brock and Siena. Son-in-Law Marlowe Peters (widower of Mary Jo Pietrus Peters) and their child Matthew and his son Cooper, Sister in Law, Mary Arlene Schliessmann and other extended family. Joycelyn was preceded in death by husband Leo, and 2 daughters Cheryl and Mary Joelle. Her parents, six sisters, Magelle Hertel, Beatrice Howard, Marcella Howard, Arlyne Huffman, Lenore Yeager, Burnette Junkman and two brothers, Gene Hertel and Henry Hertel (Junior).

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