Joyce Mertz, 80, of Hurdsfield, ND died Thursday, February 7, 2019 at CHI St. Alexius Hospital in Bismarck, ND.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, February 11, 2019 at the Hurdsfield Community Center, Hurdsfield, ND.  Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Hurdsfield.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10 at Hertz Funeral Home, Harvey, ND.

Joyce Jean Schick was born on March 1, 1938 in Harvey, ND.  She was the daughter of Adolph and Helen Schick.  She grew up in the Denhoff area and graduated from the Denhoff High School in 1956.  Joyce married Leland "Swede" Mertz on January 12, 1958 at the Hurdsfield Lutheran Church.  They lived with his parents north of Hurdsfield for a short time before moving south of Hurdsfield and into Hurdsfield in 1964.  In 1977 they moved to their new farm home west of Hurdsfield.  Joyce waitressed at numerous locations including the Eagles Club and Artos in Harvey and the Corner Bar and Hurdsfield Café in Hurdsfield.  Joyce was known for her hospitality and sharing her home with her son's friends.  They would call her "Mom" and many others would call her "Grandma."  Joyce's hobbies included Bingo, casino trips, gardening and canning.

Joyce was a former member of the Hurdsfield Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School for many years and sang in the choir.  She sang as part of a duet at community events.  Joyce was a current member of the Peace Lutheran Church in Goodrich.

Joyce is survived by three sons, Tim, of Cavalier, ND, Doug (Jeannine) of Hurdsfield, Brian (Lora) of Bismarck; 11 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Delores Schick of Fargo.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband on December 23, 2005; her son Larry on March 1, 1997; parents; brother, Marvin Schick and "son" Darwin "Charlie" Bowitz.