Joyce M. Leinon

DULUTH, Minn. — Joyce M. Leinon, 78, of Montreal, Wis., died peacefully Tuesday, May 13, 2014, surrounded by her loving family, at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, following a brief battle with cancer.

The former Joyce Johnson was born Oct. 25, 1935, in Wakefield, Mich., daughter of the late August and Anna (Hill) Johnson, and graduated from Wakefield High School in 1953. She was employed as a nurse’s aide in Lake Forest, Ill., for several years prior to her marriage to Bill Leinon on Aug. 31, 1957, in Wakefield. They then made their home in Montreal and raised their family.

Joyce was a caring and loving person with a heart of gold who loved her family unselfishly. She loved playing card games with her grandchildren and was anxiously awaiting the arrival of her fifth great-grandchild. She was also a wonderful cook, enjoyed going to the casino once a month, and was an avid Green Bay Packers fan. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Hurley, Wis.

Surviving are her husband, Bill, of 56 years; six children, Rebecca (Peter) Ellos, Ironwood Township, Mich., Richard (Mary) Leinon, Gile, Wis., Brenda (Gary) Wesolowski and Roger Leinon, both of Montreal, Lisa (Todd) Williams, Hurley, and Ryan Leinon, Montreal; 12 grandchildren, Tara (Ryan) Anderson, Amy (Kevin) Lahti, Jessica (Jacob) Novascone, Kimberly and Jacob Leinon, Katlyn and Kassidi Wesolowski, Alyssa Leinon, Mindy and Bransen Williams, and Morgan and Paige Leinon; four great-grandchildren, Tia and Breleigh Lahti, and Ty and Aubrie Anderson; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Henry Leinon, Marlene (Paul) Masuga and Norma Leinon, all of Hurley; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and a special friend, Michelle Holm, Gile.

Besides her parents, Joyce was predeceased by five brothers, Eugene, David, Richard, Raymond and Ernest Johnson; and four sisters, Lorraine Gokey, Beatrice Bertagnoli, Elaine Ozzello and Adele Moore.

Honoring her wishes, cremation has taken place.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, May 17, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at the First Presbyterian Church, 200 4th Ave., in Hurley, with the Rev. Don Nickolson officiating.

Committal will take place at the church, with luncheon to follow.

Interment will be in the Hurley Cemetery at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood, where condolences may be offered online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.