Joyce Mattie Westerham

Joyce Mattie Westerham, 82, of Cloquet passed away Friday, January 18, 2013 in Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born February 20, 1930 in Cloquet to Sigvard and Emma Olson. Joyce attended grade school in Scanlon and graduated from Cloquet High School in 1948. After the loss of her husband, Merton Pykkonen she later married Donald Westerham and lived in Esko. Joyce was a member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Esko and was described as full of fun and fun loving. She liked to give grief to her grandchildren, but was a good sport by receiving it too. Joyce took pride in her Norwegian heritage by making annual lutefisk and lefsa dinners for her family and friends. The tradition, she so loved, will be passed on to future generations. Many wonderful memories were made at Timberline Campground in Sturgeon Lake, where she and Donald made their summer home after retirement. Joyce loved spending time with her family and friends and truly enjoyed the challenges provided by various types of puzzles. Her sense of humor and outgoing personality will be missed by all who knew her. Joyce was preceded in death by her first husband, Merton Pykkonen; her second husband, Donald Westerham; father, Sigvard Olson; mother and step-father, Emma and Fred Larson; and brother, Edward Olson. Joyce is survived by her children, Joy (Scott) Eskuri of Esko, Matthew (Debra) Pykkonen of Soddy Daisy, TN, Debra (Dorin) Langley of Cloquet, Denise (Fred) Swanson of Paducah, KY, Keith (Peggy Klinga) Westerham of Cloquet; brother, Robert Olson of White Bear Lake; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Memorial Services were held on Friday January 25, 2013 in St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Esko. A time of fellowship and lunch followed the service. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Joyce's name to the St. Matthew's Lutheran Church building fund or the American Cancer Society. To sign the guest book and offer an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com