Joyce Corrine Shea

Joyce Corrine Shea, 93 year old resident of Alexandria, MN passed away on Friday, May 10, 2024.

Joyce was born in Alexandria, MN on June 1, 1930 to Lawrence and Dora Hanson. Joyce graduated from Alexandria High School in 1948.

Joyce’s shy and quiet personality was perfectly matched when she met the outgoing and fun-loving Hubert Shea at her parents' restaurant in Brandon MN.  Joyce and Hubert were married on October 15, 1951 and were blessed with 45 years of love and laughter and seven children - Mike, Mary Pat, Kathleen (Fluff), Mark, John, Brian and Amy.  

Hubert and Joyce began farming on the Shea family farm in Leaf Valley in 1951. Starting In 1956, Joyce supported Hubert as he began his new career in the Gambles hardware store business, moving the family from Alexandria to Red Wing, Fairmont and Albert Lea, Minnesota.  In 1968 they purchased the Gambles hardware store in Little Falls.  Joyce and Hubert worked side by side growing the hardware store in Little Falls until they sold it in 1979.  

Joyce then started her own business, sewing custom draperies and alterations. She had a love of sewing and was an extremely talented seamstress.  Sewing was always part of her life from the early years of making clothes for her daughters, the sewing shop, and finally making beautiful quilts for her grandkids.

At the age of 62, Joyce began a new 20-year career working at the jewelry counter at Walmart in Little Falls, then transferring to Alexandria, retiring at 82 years old. 

Joyce loved to shop and never passed up a good bargain.   She took pride in her annual garage sales.  This passion started in the early 1980’s in Little Falls and continued in Alexandria with her biggest and final garage sale when she was 85 years old. 

After Hubert passed away, Joyce sold the house and moved back to Alexandria.  For the last 7 years, Joyce has lived at Edgewood Vista in Alexandria.   Joyce was cared for by the loving staff at Edgewood Vista and in the final months the wonderful, kindhearted hospice staff from Knute Nelson.  We are incredibly grateful for the love and compassion they showed mom.  

Hubert and Joyce purchased lake shore property on Lake Moses in Millerville, MN in 1969.   Because of their generosity, hospitality, and love of people, it has been the gathering center for family.  It will continue to be cherished by the kids, grandkids and great grandkids as a legacy of love of family.   

Joyce is preceded in death by her husband, Hubert, daughter Kathleen Goodin, daughter-in-law Marci Shea, brother Donald Hanson, and parents, Lawrence and Dora Hanson. 

Joyce is survived by her children Mike (Deb) Shea of Sartell, MN; Mary Pat (Bruce) Zierke of Morris, MN; Mark (Sharon) Shea of Denton, TX; John Shea of Alexandria, MN; Brian (Michelle) Shea of Topeka, KS and Amy (Andy) Vagle of Stillwater, MN, her 17 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. 

Joyce leaves behind a legacy of kindness, encouragement and the joy of finding life’s little treasures.  She will be deeply missed by her family and all who had the privilege of knowing her.

A funeral service for Joyce will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic church in Alexandria on Monday, May 20, 2024.  Visitation will be noon-1:00 pm, funeral service at 1:00pm, with the interment at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Cemetery in Millerville at 4:00pm. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Joyce may be made to Edgewood Vista (contact Jordan Anderson Jordan.Anderson@edgewoodhealthcare.com or 320-759-2121) or Knute Nelson Hospice https://www.knutenelson.org/donate-now-west-central-minnesota