Lllewellyn Reynold Nokleby & Joyce LaRayne Nokleby

Llewellyn (Lew) Reynold, 83, and Joyce LaRayne, 69, Nokleby of Benson, were called by the Lord on April 23, 2024. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Benson, Minnesota. Visitation will continue from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 3, 2024, at the church followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Benson City Cemetery following the service.

Lew was born January 11, 1941, in Chippewa County to Oliver and Elvera (Thompson) Nokleby. He was baptized at the Jevnaker Lutheran Church in rural Chippewa County. He attended country school. He worked at CNH for 53 years, retiring in 2014. Lew enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family, including annual fishing trips with his brothers-in-law. He also enjoyed working on cars, demo derbies, restoring cars with his boys, restoring old furniture with his grandchildren, and attending local “smoke offs,” enjoying the many different types of meat offered. He was a Veteran of the Minnesota National Guard as a vehicle mechanic and was honorably discharged. He loved tinkering with almost anything.

Joyce LaRayne (Anderson) Nokleby was born December 1, 1954, in Webster, South Dakota, to Ben L. and Bonnie C. (Arneson) Anderson. She was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Webster. She attended school in Webster, graduating in 1973. While in Webster, Joyce was a candy striper and later worked at the Swift County Benson Hospital as a CNA for several years. She also provided daycare for many families that she considered her children as well. Joyce enjoyed gardening, sewing for family and friends, swimming, playing the organ, being Santa’s elf at many community events, and photography. She earned many ribbons for her entries at the Swift County Fair. Joyce was a proud, active member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She was involved in numerous programs and many other activities throughout the community. She had been teaching Sunday School at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church for the past 30 years and made sure that each Sunday School student received a birthday card every year.

Joyce and Lew were introduced to each other over supper at Ray and Glenda Ascheman’s in 1973. They were married on June 22, 1974, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Webster. They would have celebrated their 50th anniversary this year. Their marriage was blessed with three sons: Christopher, Adam, and Marc. During their 49 years of living in Benson, they were members of Dreamland Theater, Benson Kid Day, and were both trained skywarn spotters for the past 35 years with the Minnesota National Weather Service, reporting weather for the community daily. They enjoyed attending activities of their grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews as much as they could.

Joyce and Lew are survived by their children: Christopher (Darcy), Adam (Stephanie Trapp), & Marc; grandchildren: Tegan, Tayte & Logan; siblings: Glenda (Ray) Ascheman and Roger (Brenda) Anderson; and many nieces and nephews. They are preceded in death by their parents and Joyce’s siblings: Gary, Alan, and Molly (Marlene).