Joyce Kaul

Joyce L. Kaul, 70, of Bismarck, passed away on June 19, 2024.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, June 26, at McCabe United Methodist, 1030 N 6th St, Bismarck. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Burial will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck.

She was born in Mandan, ND, on April 30, 1954. She was the youngest child of Vern and Eldean Enge. She spent most of her childhood in Bismarck, before moving to Mandan for her senior year of high school. Joy graduated from Mandan High School in 1972. She went to Jamestown College before transferring to Mary College where she received a bachelor’s degree in social work.

Joy began her professional career as a social worker in New Rockford, ND. A friend set her up on a blind date for New Year’s Eve with Raymond Kaul. After a whirlwind romance, Ray proposed on Valentine’s Day. They were married on June 11, 1977. Joy continued her professional career as a social worker in Bismarck. In 1979, they welcomed their first daughter, Cheryl. In 1981, Joy decided on a career change and opened her own childcare business. She was an active member of the Association for Better Childcare for many years. Ray and Joy welcomed their second daughter, Nicole, in 1983. They camped and took many road trips. Eventually, they bought a cabin and it became one of Joy’s favorite places.

Joy enjoyed spending time at the lake, trying new recipes, crafting, and reading. She enjoyed genealogy and discovering famous people she was related to. She loved her daycare kids and always said that they kept her young. Joy retired from childcare in May 2024, after she was diagnosed with cancer. Joy was a patient, kind, loving, and fun person who touched many people’s lives.

She was survived by her husband, Ray Kaul; children, Cheryl (Jason) Challeen and Nicole (Matt) Hovland; grandchildren, Gracelin, Ben, Hunter, Violet, and Felix; and her sister, Linda.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Vern Enge and Eldean Corcoran, her stepfather, Richard Corcoran, and her brother, Vern Enge.