Joyce Burk

Joyce Elaine Burk, 80, of Red Wing, died peacefully on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at her home with her loving family by her side. She was born on July 21, 1945, in Minot, North Dakota, to Harry and Susie (Frandrich) Lakoduk. In the early 1950s, her family moved to Elk River, Minnesota, where she graduated from Elk River High School in 1963.

Joyce continued her education in Minot, where she became a nursing assistant, and later moved to Minneapolis with a friend. She worked at Abbott Northwestern Hospital before marrying Edward Burk on September 4, 1965. They were blessed with two daughters, Elaine and Barbara. While raising their family in the Twin Cities, Joyce held a variety of jobs, including bookkeeping at Coast to Coast, and she also sold monuments for Sears.

Her primary career was in banking, beginning at Crystal State Bank, then Norwest Bank, and ultimately Wells Fargo. Along the way, she formed cherished lifelong friendships with a group affectionately known as “The SOBs” (Same Ole Bunch), who met monthly for decades. Since 2016, she and Ed have made their home in Red Wing.

Joyce was dedicated to volunteer service throughout her life, be it food shelves, baby holding in the hospital, in the USA or Belize or Louisiana after the hurricane. Recently, she volunteered at the Red Wing Food Shelf, on Social Concern’s Committees, and served as a Pink Lady at Mayo Red Wing Hospital. She was an avid golfer and loved playing nearly any type of game, though Mahjong was her favorite. For 11 years, she and Ed spent their winters in Florida, enjoying the sunshine, good friends, and the many activities and crafts she loved.

For 31 years, Joyce and Ed also spent treasured time at Care Free Country Club in Big Lake, Minnesota. It was their little piece of heaven—filled with social activities, endless opportunities to golf, and the companionship of dear friends, especially their beloved neighbors Jay and Charlie.

Family was the heart of Joyce’s world. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and cherished every moment with them, especially when a new baby was around. Her family will forever hold the memories of trips, adventures, and playing lots of games together.

Joyce is survived by her loving husband, Ed, of 60 years; daughters Elaine (Stephen) O’Keefe and Barbara (Gary) Schendel; grandchildren Connor (Tal) O’Keefe, Martin (Shelly) Schendel, Daniel (Madeline Pendelton) O’Keefe , Sarah (Sam) Johnson, William (Jeremy Forstner) Schendel, Jack (Nyah) Schendel, and Grace (Connor) Gardner; great-grandchildren Edward Schendel and Phoebe Schendel; siblings Sandra (Gary) Burk, Myron (Veronica) Lakoduk, Harold Lakoduk, and Duane (Trang) Lakoduk; in-laws Ken (Pat) Burk, Bill (Nancy) Burk, Tim (Debbie) Burk, and Donald Nauber Sr.; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings David Lakoduk and Cynthia Tenny; sister-in-law Wilma Nauber; and nephews Jonathon Tenny and Donald Nauber Jr.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.