Joyce Audrey Vallier, 86, Oberon, ND, passed away on Friday, January 2, 2015 at Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd in New Rockford, ND. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd Chapel in New Rockford, ND with Pastor Deb Lommen officiating. Visitation will be on Monday, January 5, 2015 from 2 to 5 pm at the Nelson Funeral Home in Maddock. Burial will be at the Hillside Cemetery, Oberon, ND in the spring. Music will be provided by Paula Duren and Joann Bergrud.

Joyce Smith was born May 6, 1928 in Isabel Township, Benson County, ND to Albin and Gerda (Toso) Smith. She grew up on a farm near Maddock, ND and graduated from the Benson County Agriculture and Training School, Maddock. She worked as a phone operator in Devils Lake, ND. She married Gerald Vallier on December 20, 1948 in Maddock, ND. The couple farmed near Oberon until Gerald became the Postmaster in Oberon and they moved to Oberon. Joyce worked as a bookkeeper for Cenex Oil and later the Oberon Elevator. She was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church where she served as treasurer for many years. She also served on the Oberon Park Board and on many election boards. Joyce enjoyed her garden, reading, camping and playing cards. She was best known for her homemade buns.
Surviving are her daughter Barbara (Michael) McCormick of Alexandria, MN, grandchildren Michelle L. (Jeff) Jung, James (Michelle) McCormick, great-grandchildren, Zachrey Jung, Benjamin Jung, Faith Jung, Joseph McCormick, Grace McCormick, Christopher McCormick and a brother Gordon Smith. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Glenn Smith and a sister-in-law Helen Smith.