Joyce Tuttle, 84

Joyce Tuttle, 84, of Drayton, ND, passed away at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks on August 17, 2025, after complications from gallbladder disease.

Joyce Marie Pieper was born on February 10, 1941, to Gerald “Jerry” Sr. and Gwen (Jones) Pieper in Kenneth, MN. She grew up in Williams, MN, and graduated from Williams High School in 1959. She attended Bemidji State for a year, then moved to Minneapolis, where she worked for the Bell Telephone Company. It was while living there that she met Nick Tuttle.

Joyce and Nick were married on June 10, 1961. They moved to Williams, Lake Bronson, and Hallock, eventually settling in Drayton, ND. The couple had four children: Bill, Ann, Connie, and Bob. While living in Drayton, they owned and operated the Factory Café, the Drayton Café, Joyce’s Variety Store, The Second Time Around, and the Little Greenhouse. In 1980, Joyce began working full-time at American Crystal Sugar Company in Drayton; however, it was common for her to hold several part-time jobs throughout the years to support her family. Joyce worked at American Crystal for 42 years before retiring at the age of 81. Over the years, she was also involved in the Drayton Volunteer Ambulance Service, the Chamber of Commerce, the Ox Cart Trails Historical Society, and the Skjeberg Church Board.

Joyce enjoyed a 12-year relationship with John Rasmussen, where they loved going to auctions, going on country drives, and spending quality time with each other. She loved canning and gardening. Caring for her flower beds was her passion. She took great pride in maintaining her home and her property. More than anything, though, Joyce loved spending time with her family. Joyce will be remembered for her honesty, her work ethic, her sense of humor, and her dedication to those she loved. She had an unforgettable laugh and a beautiful smile. She will be missed by many.

Joyce is survived by her children, William Tuttle (Julie Foltz), Ann (Dave) Severtson, Constance Tuttle (Ed Kowachek), and Robert (Jeanine) Tuttle; grandchildren, Nicholas (Alyssa) Tuttle, Kristina Tuttle (Blair Lindholm), and Andrew Tuttle; great-granddaughter Alivia Tuttle  and another expected in December; step-grandchildren, Angie (Dave) Peil and Jennie Uggerud; brother, Jerry (Lyla) Pieper, Jr.; sister-in-law, Pat (Rod) Bartko; several nieces and nephews, and many who called her their second mom.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jerry and Gwen; ex-husband, Nicholas Tuttle; John Rasmussen; mother and father-in-law, Katherine and William Tuttle; and sister and brother-in-law, Maggie and Bob Schuffenhauer.

A funeral service for Joyce was held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Skjeberg Lutheran Church in rural Drayton, ND. Interment will be in Skjeberg Cemetery at a later date—arrangements by Austin Funeral Home, Drayton.