Joyce Elaine Eli

Funeral services for Joyce Eli will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, July 11th at Bethany Lutheran Church in Ramey, MN with Pastor Greg Tomhave officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Knoll Cemetery in Princeton. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 PM on Wednesday, July 10 at Peterson Johnson Funeral Home in Milaca and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Joyce Elaine Eli was born on June 6, 1927 in Princeton, Minnesota to Clifford and Laura Elizabeth(Polsfuss) Hammill. She attended school in Milaca. Singing brought great joy to Joyce even singing on the radio as well as weddings and funerals. Joyce was united in marriage to Gerald Bruce on September 6, 1945 and chose raising a family over a career singing. After she was divorced she was united in marriage to Burnette Eli on September 26, 1964. Joyce had many jobs over the years, including waitressing, working at a resort near Brainerd, selling Avon, a cook at the Milaca Hospital, and working at Fingerhut in Princeton. She was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Ramey for many years where she taught Sunday School and VBS, served as youth leader and was a member of the ladies aid. She later switched to the Zion Lutheran Church in Little Falls where she enjoyed fellowship with the ladies. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 602 where she served as President and Secretary. Her hobbies included gardening, crocheting, quilting, reading, watching sci-fi movies and spending time with family. Joyce died on Sunday, July 7, 2013 at the Harmony House in Little Falls at the age of 86 years one month and one day. She is survived by children, Judy Hastings of Little Falls, Gary (Robin) Bruce of Isanti, Mark (Vickie) Bruce of Milaca, David (Susie) Bruce of Mora, Trudy Graves of Royalton, Jim (Faye) Bruce of Princeton, Mary (Neil) Hoheisel of Hillman, Dale (Rhonda) Eli of Royalton, Cathy (Rick) Dullinger of Hillman, and Patty (Bill) Meleen of Princeton, 33 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren, brothers and sisters, Donald (Margie) Hammill of Washington, Jerry Hammill of Princeton, Larry Hammill of Crosby, and Charles (Elaine) Hammill of Milaca and other relatives and many adopted children who called her mom. She was preceded in death by parents, sons, Scott and Randy Bruce, daughters, Peggy and Pam Bruce, great-grandson, Steven Hastings, Brother, Douglas Hammill and 2 sisters, Joy Maxam and Deloris Jensen.