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Joyce Brezina (85) of Kailua, Hawaii passed away on December 12, 2010 at her home.

 
Donna Joyce Nickeson was born April 23, 1925 in Langdon, North Dakota to Hal and Etna (Sykes) Nickeson.  She grew up in Langdon graduating from Langdon High School in 1943.  She attended North Dakota State School of Science at Wahpeton, North Dakota where she studied Lineotype & Printing.  She worked for the Telephone Company and Roxy Theatre both in Langdon.

On November 15, 1950 Joyce married Quentin Brezina, who was born and raised in Osnabrock, ND.   They made their home in Langdon where they raised their four children and established Brezina Excavation.  In the early 1980’s, Joyce and Quentin moved to Hawaii to be near their four children. In Honolulu they started Wholesale Equipment Restaurant & Supply Company.  Joyce also enjoyed owning a small yarn shop in downtown Honolulu.

Joyce was active in the Langdon Presbyterian Church and with her children’s school activities. She was accomplished in handiwork and an avid knitter who crafted beautiful garments, including Langdon High School’s Cardinal wrestling and cheerleading team knitwear.  She continued teaching knitting lessons until her health failed.

Joyce is survived by three children:  Kelly Brezina Honolulu, HI;  Corliss Altman (Joel) Aptos, CA; Heather Schilz (Mark) Santa Monica, CA; Five grandchildren: James Altman, Calder Brezina, KC Brezina, Sarah Altman and Matthew Schilz; and one sister, Phyllis Fulton.
 

She was preceded in death by her parents Hal and Etna Nickeson, her loving husband Quentin, daughter Nancy, son Scott, and brothers James (Bud) Nickeson and Duane Nickeson.


A memorial service celebrating Joyce’s life will be held at the Presbyterian Church in Langdon, ND at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 4, 2011.

 

Thank You
We would like to thank Mom's cousins, Tom & Jolene Magiera, for their vigilant watch, all her neighbors, friends and Hospice Hawaii for all of the comfort, conversation, care and kindness bestowed on Mom's behalf.

Heather Schilz

20 Ocean Park Blvd. #24

Santa Monica CA 90405

Corliss Altman

541 Cuesta Drive

Aptos, CA 95003

Kelly Brezina

2522 Rose Street

Honolulu HI 96819

 

 

 

 


Condolences:

Joyce was a good friend of ours when we all lived in Langdon. She had the greatest personality of anyone I have ever met. She will be missed by everyone.

Ron and Isabel Fischer

Sartell, MN

 

So sorry to read this about your mom. It seems like yesterday we saw each other at my mom's & your brother's services.  You will miss her greatly. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Patty Giles Rohloff

 

Dear Kelly, Corliss and Heather:

My memories of Joyce go back to very early childhood since we went to the same church and our mothers had known each other for many years.   But there is a special personal memory of being 12 years old and starting work in the back end of the Republican.  Joyce's linotype was near the entrance to that noisy room and when I came in after school I could stand behind her and watch her set type!  In later years she told many stories and one that the grandchildren may not have heard too many times is when she and friends would take down the living room lace curtains at a house near them and have pretend weddings.  That always made her audience smile.  We could see them doing it!  My sincere sympathy, love and prayers to you all. 

Rita Maisel

 

Wanted to extend Harvey's and my sympathy. I enjoyed a phone visit with your mom when we were in Hawaii last spring.  We both have many memories of Joyce from years ago.

 Harvey and Eleanor Sand

 

Seeing your Mother's obituary made me sad, but also brought back happy memories.  I am sad that my last chance to talk with her only allowed leaving a phone message. 

She was one of the lovely young women of our church.  Her smile and sense of humor stand out.  My parents thought she was great. Although I've never seen you as adults, I am sure she was as proud of you now as she was when you were small.

My thoughts are with you.

Nancy Bartlett

 

What a Wonderful life.  What a fun loving woman.  How blessed we must all feel to have had Joyce in our lives.  We hold dear all the fun visits we were able to have with her.  The last one being a very long coffee party near her home in Hawaii.  She had just bought her new blue VW.  She was so darned cute in her new set of wheels.  She will be missed so very much, but God Bless all the wonderful memories she leaves with us.  Our deepest sympathy to all. 

Love, Tom and Judy Waind

 

It is always very hard to lose a mom.  Our thoughts are with you.  May you have many good memories. I didn't realize this was on Internet.  I am not very good with this new technology and was just paging through Brezina.

We send many prayers for all of you.

Jerry and Kay Brezina

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