Joyce A. Lund

Age 85 of Lino Lakes, passed away on January 28, 2024. 

Preceded in death by husband, Jonathan Hammar; siblings, Gladys Draeger, Helen Dewing, Clyde Richter, Marion Venske.   

Survived by husband, John; daughter, Jill (Rick) Jass; grandchildren, Sara (Benjamin) Evans, Erik (Amanda) Jass; sisters-in-law, Karen Lund and Kathy Gaulke.  

Joyce Richter Hammar Lund was a midwest farmer’s daughter, the baby of the family. As a result, her life was built on an incredibly strong work ethic, the belief she could walk up to anyone and have a conversation, and a sense of fun.

She met Jonathan Hammar at a church bible camp where he invited her to “shake the hand that has touched both oceans”, which was evidently a strong enough pick up line to result in nuptials in August of 1958. Jonathan was in the Navy and together they were stationed in New Mexico, Europe (while he was on the USS Forrestal), Virginia, California, Guam, and Washington, D.C. In each location they integrated into a local church, forming strong friendships resulting in great stories. Jill was born and together the family embraced the opportunity to explore while in these different locales and visited 49 states, the Philippines, various European countries, and Japan.

Jonathan died in May of 1981 while stationed in Washington DC and Joyce stayed in the area allowing Jill to finish high school. She then moved back to MN to be with extended family who had always provided a strong and fun loving home base during her travels. She and Jill then crossed off her final state by touring Alaska together.  Soon after she signed up for a local chartered tour for a bucket list trip to the Holy Land and Egypt. It was on this adventure she met John Lund and was smitten. 

They were married in November 1985, built their home and settled in Lino Lakes, MN. They traveled to HI, Fiji, Australia, Tahiti, New Zealand and throughout the US. Joyce had a passion to be outside and often accompanied John on his golfing adventures, never to golf, just to meet people and be driven around outside.  She also loved chartered bus tours with friends declaring she was now “too beautiful” to have to deal with her own luggage.

She loved her family and enjoyed telling tales of her grandchildren, their spouses, her nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. In MN she worked in the accounting office at Northwestern College, later transitioning to payroll at the City of Lino Lakes where she worked for 20 years until her retirement in 2008. She was grateful for the friendships she gained along the way.

She and John were part of the community of Living Faith Church, even when she was no longer able to attend. The relationships, memories, and support from this group was significant for her and John.

She collected so many memories along the way - learning to drive a stick shift on the Autobahn with a three-year old helping in the backseat, climbing the tallest mountain in the world in shorts, being blessed by the Pope at the Vatican, obtaining her blue belt in karate, recording 2 albums with the Choraleers and singing at the Kennedy Center to name a few.

She received the diagnosis of malignant double lung cancer stage 4 in the summer of 2022. She underwent treatment hoping knowledge gained from her journey would  help others. She died 1/28/24 after receiving stellar care during her illness from Region’s Cancer Center and Hospital.

Memorial service 11 AM Saturday, March 23 at Living Faith Church, 10101 Lexington Ave. NE, Circle Pines. Visitation at the church from 9-11 AM Saturday.

In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to Living Faith Church or Regions Hospital Foundation in support of cancer care and research.