Joy Ann Edwards

Joy Ann Edwards, age 81 of Mankato, died at her home on October 2, 2009. Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at First Presbyterian Church in Mankato with Rev. Dawn Carder officiating. A time to visit with family and friends will begin at 10 a.m. until time of service and will continue following the service. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, St. Peter. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Hilltop Neighbors (Mankato Area Living at Home Block Nurse Program) or VINE Faith in Action. Mankato Mortuary assisted with arrangements.

Joy Ann was born October 15, 1927 in Saint Peter to Reuben and Mildred (Liane) Larson. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith. She graduated from Mankato High School in 1946. In 1952, she was married to Dr. Norman Edwards in Saint Peter. Joy was employed as a sales clerk and photographer with Barnett Photo and later with Minneapolis Photo. In 1990, Joy moved to Mankato, where she was a volunteer for Hilltop Neighbors. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, and was a great photographer, specializing in scenery. She loved animals, especially her two cats, Honey and Lily. She enjoyed dancing, especially the Jitterbug, of which her friends would call her, "Jitterbug Joy".

Survivors include her son, John Norman Edwards of Washington, DC; daughter-in-law, Christina Edwards Vlachos of Flushing Queens, NY; two granddaughters, Zoe Edwards and Anastasia Edwards both of Flushing Queens, NY; sisters-in-law, Lenore Larson and Shirley Larson both of Saint Peter; cousins, nephews, and nieces, including, Patti (Rick) Kramlinger and their family of North Mankato. Joy was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Dr. Norman Edwards; two brothers, Robert and Arvid Larson.