Daniel Jerome Joyce, 87, of Tioga, North Dakota, died Saturday, March 8, 2025, surrounded by family, at St. Catherine South nursing facility in Fargo, North Dakota.

Daniel was born February 7, 1938 to Sylvester and Ruth (Sullivan) Joyce of Tioga. A lifelong farmer, Daniel knew the land like no other. His great knowledge and work ethic was passed on to his sons as they gradually took on more responsibilities to work in the field. Daniel oversaw every aspect of the operation, sometimes watching from the farmstead with a full mug of coffee in his hand. Farming was his passion.

Daniel met his future wife, Mary Ann Balster of Jamestown, ND, at Joyce’s Texaco in Tioga. They married on June 20, 1964 at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Tioga. They welcomed six children; Daniel Jr., Jane, Jeffrey, Kathryn, Thomas and Jerome.

Together, Daniel and Mary Ann made the perfect pair. She was a farm girl herself and they loved spending time together out at the farm. Whether it was moving equipment from field to field, or eating homemade meals on the tailgate of a pickup or in the “cooking camper,” it was a way of life they enjoyed.

Daniel was a hard-working man, but he also had a playful side. He was a big kid himself with his children, pedaling the kids’ toy John Deere tractor down the hallway, or pointing to a red blinking radio tower light from the front door to say Santa and Rudolph were on their way. He also loved to tell jokes and got a kick out of teasing his grandchildren. He was very proud of his family.

Daniel had overcome difficult times throughout his life; most recently a battle with cancer. But Daniel was not to be underestimated. The family phrase was; he is “Built Joyce Tough.” He continually surprised doctors and nurses with his resiliency while maintaining a sharp sense of humor. His big smile drew people in. He was very thankful for the care he received and expressed his appreciation daily to the nursing staff.

Survivors include two daughters, Jane (Wayne) Peterson, Grand Forks, ND, and Kathryn Sorensen (Bob Fiske), Plymouth, MN; sons, Jeffrey, Jamestown, ND, and Jerome (Kristie), Tioga, ND; three grandchildren, Kaylee, Ava and Zakkary; step-grandchildren, Courtney (Valerie) Ruppert, and Denver (Ting Ting) Ruppert; brother, Michael Joyce, Fargo, ND; sister-in-law, Edith Ann Joyce, Tioga, ND; sister-in-law, Kristi Balster, Jamestown, ND; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann; sons, Daniel Jr. and Thomas; his parents, Sylvester and Ruth Joyce; his father and mother-in-law, Frank and Cecelia Balster; his brothers, John Joyce, and W. Thomas Joyce; sisters, Patricia Koller and Mary Ellen Kirn; his sister-in-law, Joan Joyce; and brothers-in-law, John (Sheryl) Balster, and Jim (Kristi) Balster.

Thank You