Joyce Gertrude Mitchell of Glentworth, SK passed away on Thursday, July 24, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family, at the age of 95 years. Born on a stormy night, March 5, 1930, on the family farm northwest of Coronach, SK. Joyce was the second daughter of Nellie Florence (Sorsdahl) and William Harold Elder. She grew up alongside her siblings, Dorothy, Bruce, Larry, and Ruth, on the land that shaped her love of hard work and rural life. A proud tomboy, Joyce worked side-by-side with her dad, driving tractor, feeding pigs, and tending to livestock.
Joyce attended Berg, Luella and Coronach schools and completed Grade 12 at Balfour in Regina. She then attended Normal School in Moose Jaw, earning her teaching certificate in 1949. Over the next decade, she taught in numerous rural and town schools, including Highcrest, Delightsome Valley, Buffalo Gap, Lampman, Yellow Grass, Bulyea, and Crane Valley. On July 15, 1960, she married Grant Mitchell, leaving her teaching career behind to settle into life on the ranch near Glentworth, helping with every aspect of the operation, from feeding livestock and summer fallowing. On March 1, 1965 their son Clint was born. Summer was always a time to welcome the neighbour kids as well as nieces and nephews to the farm. After Clint started school, there were plenty of sports events to attend. Grant also became an avid hockey fan, and we enjoyed following the Glentworth teams together.
Joyce was deeply involved in her community. She played and umpired ball, curled extensively, and was active in the Ladies Auxiliary, eventually serving as Second Vice President of the Saskatchewan Command. She also sang in the United Church choir and held various leadership roles in the church and community groups.
In 1996, Joyce and Grant were forced to move to Regina due to Grant’s declining health. During this time, Joyce began writing a family history for her grandchildren, a project that eventually grew to over 200 pages. Sadly, Grant passed away in 2001. Joyce later returned to the ranch, living in the same yard as Clint and Dawn. She cherished being close to her family and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Over the years, Joyce enjoyed travelling, playing cards, sewing, knitting, crocheting, petit point, reading, and doing puzzles. She remained sharp, spirited, and social throughout her life. In the winter of 2023, when she needed a little extra care, Joyce became a resident at Foyer d’Youville in Gravelbourg. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her family and community.
Joyce is survived by her loving family: son Clint (Dawn) Mitchell; grandchildren Brett (Abigail) Mitchell, Bethany (Justin) Antonowitsch, and Garrett (Brittany) Mitchell; great-grandchildren Winrie, Alphaeus, Monty, Felicity and Addison; sisters-in-law Kathleen Elder and Sylvia Elder; brother-in-law Elvin Mitchell; as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband Grant Mitchell (2001); parents Harold and Florence Elder; siblings Dorothy (Clifford Andrews, Harold McQuitty), Ruth (Willie Maguire, Bob Fuson), Bruce Elder, and Larry Elder; in-law David and Amy Mitchell; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Clarence Mitchell, Gordon (Kay) Mitchell, Lloyd (Bunny) Mitchell, Willis (Phyllis) Mitchell, Wilma (Gus) Vatamanuick, and Lila Mitchell.
A Celebration of Life was held on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., at the Glentworth Community Hall, Glentworth, Saskatchewan. Joyce was laid to rest beside her beloved husband Grant at the Waverley Cemetery. Memorial donations in Joyce’s memory to the Foyer d’Youville Foundation, Box 810, Gravelbourg, SK, S0H 1X0 were greatly appreciated.
