Obituary of Joyce O'Farrell Gapinski

Joyce LaVonne Gapinski was born to Charles and Helen (Blum) O'Farrell at Okoboji, Iowa on May 7, 1934. She received her education in Arnolds Park and graduated from Arnolds Park High School. On March 2, 1953 she married Bernard Gapinski at Moorhead, Minnesota and four children were born to this union. She lived in North Carolina while her husband was stationed in Fort Bragg. They later moved to Moorhead, Minnesota where they lived several years before returning to Okoboji. Joyce was a part owner of the O'Farrell Sisters Restaurant for 24 years; prior to that in the early 70's, she cooked at the Tail-N-Ale. She passed away Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at the Hilltop Care Center in Spirit Lake where she had been a resident since April of 2005. Joyce liked country music and was avid Charlie Pride fan. She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and definitely had a knack for making pies. She enjoyed owning a business with her sisters and loved spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren. Left to cherish her memory is her sister, Charlette Sarvie and her husband, Donald of Okoboji, IA, brother, Chuckie O'Farrell and his wife, Teresa of Crawfordville, Fl, son, Joe Gapinski, of Royal, IA, daughter in law, Janine Gapinski, wife of the late Michael Gapinski, of Milford, two grandchildren, two great grandchildren, two step grandchildren, eight step great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, family and friends. Survivors also include sisters in law, Sally (Gapinski) Stevens and her husband, Hubie of Ladysmith, WI, and Margie Gapinski of Exeland, WI. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, three children, a baby stillborn infant son, her son Michael and daughter Patty, two sisters, JoAnn Anderson and Cheri Petersen, and the late Bernard Gapinski.