Joyce Lynn Walker

Joyce Lynn Walker, (AKA, Jozzy, The Jozz, Jozz, Joceyln, J-Lo) age 73 of South St. Paul, MN, passed away on February 14, 2026, on her time and her terms with her family and fur babies, Winkie and Paddy, who never left her side during her battle with colon cancer.

Joyce was raised in South St. Paul and spent her teen years tormenting her little sisters, taking accordion lessons, attending Catholic School at St. John Vianney, and dancing at the Paradise Ballroom in Waconia, MN. Joyce made lifelong friends from her years working at Cenex and Cub Foods where she became infamous for telling an irate customer "I can't pull a chicken out of my ass" once when they were out of fresh chicken. She worked for years alongside her lifelong friend, Wally Ripplinger at One Hour Martinizing where they had many local and national celebrity customers. She once was offered and declined free concert tickets to a little unknown singer at the time named Celine Dion. Upon retirement, she was known as Grandma Joyce or Ja-Ja by the daycare kids she helped care for with her niece, Nicki Hawkins-Schweda and made no apologies telling a parent or stranger to "put socks and a hat on that baby!"

To know Jozzy was to love Jozzy. She could be cantankerous, but her heart was always in the right place. She loved traveling and enjoyed spending time with Mary Jo's family in Brainerd and at Michelle's family condo in Florida, and she got to visit Marc’s new home in Georgia. Joyce could chat up stranger and leave the conversation with a new lifelong friend. She was a package deal; your friends became her friends.

She loved her grandkids and was fortunate enough to help care for each one of them. In true Grandma fashion, she spoiled them with all the things her kids didn't get, like watching Scooby Doo, eating ice cream before dinner, cooking all their favorites, and attending their plays, concerts, recitals, and sporting events.

Joyce was proceeded in death by brother Wayne, her identical twin sister and best friend Joann, Father Ralph Wilm, and Mother Helen (Krause) Wilm, brother-in-law Richard. She is survived by her children Michelle Finnegan (Shawn), Marc, and Mary Jo Boche (Gregg). Grandchildren, Emma, Cecilia, Loki, Henry, Lucille, and Kellen. Joann's children Erika Wilm-Knapp (Jason) and Adam Sabotta (Tricia Brown). Joann's grandchildren Mackenzie, Drake, and Josie. Sisters, Barbara Schmidberger (Richard), Bonnie Hawkins (Greg) and Lisa Kolb (Jerry) along with many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Best friend of 50 years and caregiver Christine (Tina) Christensen. A special THANK YOU to the entire staff at Allina Health Cancer Institute – Saint Paul and St. Croix Hospice.

A Gathering to celebrate the life of Jozzy will be held on Saturday May 16th at The North 40 Tavern, West St. Paul, MN.