Joyce Hollekim, 87, of Palermo, North Dakota, passed away into the hands of the Lord on Friday, April 17, 2026, at the Mountrail County Medical Center in Stanley, North Dakota.

Joyce was born on July 14, 1938, in Palermo, North Dakota, to Torger and Boletta Dolan. She graduated from Palermo High School in 1956. On December 2, 1956, she married Kermont “Bud” Hollekim in Palermo, and they shared their life together until Bud passed away in February 2017.

Joyce was a devoted wife and the kind of mom, grandma, and great-grandma you could always count on. Even as a stay-at-home mom, she worked just as hard as anyone—holding everything together on the family farm. She pitched in with the outdoor chores, kept everyone fed, and somehow still kept the house in order. And if you were lucky enough to sit at her table, you didn’t forget – her cooking was incredible, and her baking was the best. She was especially known for her chocolate chip cookies, lefsa, and homemade buns.

Joyce’s passion for sports began with her high school basketball days and continued as she cheered on her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren at their athletic events. She was always present for their school events, church programs, birthday celebrations, dance recitals, and any activity they took part in. Above all, family was the heart and center of her life.

Joyce loved her faith, quilting, gardening, and the game of Pinochle. She actively participated in quilting projects with her church community and made numerous quilts for friends and family members. Joyce regularly shared produce from her garden not only with her family but also throughout the local community and with the Food Pantry. She continued gardening until the time of her passing. During her last years, Joyce enjoyed traveling with her special friends, Iva Fox and Debbie Haugen. Her family called them the “Golden Girls”.

Her loving family includes: her sons Kim (Joan) of Stanley, Jim of Palermo, Mike (LuAnn) of Stanley, and daughter Lori (Chris) Hanson of Minot; her grandchildren, Ashley (Dusty) Cossette of Stanley, Brooke (Seth) Wisthoff of Powers Lake, Samantha (A.J.) Hoffstatter of Navarre, FL, Megan (Shane) Ryals of Palermo, and Jacob (Breanna) Hanson of Minot; and nine great-grandchildren, Payton, Jaxton & Dash (the Cossettes); Olivia, Abram and Amelia (the Wisthoffs); Cooper (the Ryals) and Layla and Leo (the Hansons). Joyce was loved by many and will be truly missed, especially by her loving family.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bud; her infant daughter, Denise; and her daughter-in-law, Kandy (Johnson) Hollekim; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Thomas (Millie) Dolan, Robert (Carol) Dolan, and Richard Dolan.