Joyce Tougas, 88

Fosston – Joyce Tougas, 88, of Fosston, formerly of Oklee, passed away on Friday, June 26, 2026 at Essentia Sr Living, Fosston.
Joyce Elaine Theresa Dessellier was born October 1, 1937 at the Power House in Oklee, the daughter of Andrew and Alexina (Carriere) Dessellier. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Francis Xavier Church, Oklee.
On November 4, 1953, Joyce was united in marriage to Ludger Tougas at St. Francis Xavier Church. The couple made their home on the Tougas Family Farm near Brooks in Poplar River Township. In 1979, the family moved to the Dessellier Homestead near Oklee. To this union, 8 children were born: Duane, Deborah, Darrell, Donna, Diane, Donald, Darrin, and Dean. Due to health reasons, in 2023, she moved to Poplar Meadows in McIntosh.
Joyce worked at Arctic Cat for 13 years after their bankruptcy and also worked as a nurse’s aide at Red Lake Falls, McIntosh and Clearbrook and retired in 2004.
She enjoyed mowing lawn, gardening, embroidery, reading, bowling, and bingo. She especially loved visiting with family and friends. Joyce was a member of St. Francis Xavier Church and the ladies aid, and the Holly Hocks Garden Club of Brooks.
Joyce is preceded in death by her husband Ludger, parents Andrew and Alexina Dessellier, daughter Donna Tougas; granddaughter Paula Rae and an infant grandchild, great-grandson Trapper.
Joyce is survived by sons Duane (Gloria) Tougas of Fargo; Darrell (Sandra) Tougas of Oklee; Donald (Lonna) Tougas of Strasburg, ND; Darrin Tougas of Moorhead, and Dean (Nancy) Tougas of Mooreton, ND; daughters Deborah (Alan) Swanson of Goodridge, and Diane Bladow of Oklee; 21 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren; brothers Eugene (Margaret) Dessellier and Vincent (Shirley) Dessellier; many nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Oklee with Father Bob Schreiner presiding. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Brooks.
Family condolences may be sent to www.johnsonfuneralservice.com